Brussels, 11/08/2004 (Agence Europe) - Following the confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) outbreaks in two ratite (ostrich) farms in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, the European Commission today adopted a decision suspending the import of live ratites and their eggs, meat and products of ratites and pet birds from this country into the European Union with immediate effect until 1 January 2005. The Commission comments that the detected AI virus strain (H5N2) is...