France bans imports of poultry from animals on antibiotics

In a decree that will affect the poultry market, primarily, France announces the ban of animal meat imports treated with growth antibiotics as of 22 April.

Reuters reports that France is anticipating an EU-wide measure that had been due to enter into force late January but was delayed by missing legislation on sanitary checks, the farm ministry said in a statement.

A French farm ministry official noted that poultry would, by far, be the biggest market affected by the ban, which will be effective on 22 April, giving the poultry sector 2 months to obtain an assurance from their suppliers that meat does not come from breeding using growth antibiotics, and to modify their supply chain if needed.