The Center for Food Safety of Hong Kong announced here Friday that it would suspend poultry and game birds import applications from Saskatchewan, Canada.

According to the center, the processing of applications for importing poultry, game birds, and their products from Saskatchewan would be suspended with immediate effect.

"The decision was taken following confirmation of a case involving the highly pathogenic avian influenza H7N3 on a poultry farm in the province," a spokesman for the center said.

"We will seek further information about the case from relevant authorities," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2007)