Asia's deadly bird flu has spared Europe so far, but governments are busy drawing up contingency plans to deal with any outbreak including mass culls, transport curbs and farm disinfection, officials said on Wednesday.
Some can call on special gas-equipped units to carry out rapid poultry culling should the virus surface, and others are dusting off plans initiated during the foot-and-mouth crisis, when farms were quickly isolated and animal movement restricted.
"France...is preparing to face any potential spread of the epidemic," French Health Minister Jean-Francois Mattei said, describing government policy as one of "proactive vigilance".
The farm ministry has asked French customs to intensify checks at borders and at airports to avoid imports of live animals or fresh poultry meat from countries hit by avian flu.
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