TOKYO, Sept. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Japan on Tuesday lifted a ban on US poultry imports from the states of Rhode Island, Delaware and Maryland as product safety was confirmed with no fresh outbreaks of a bird flu there.

    The ban on US poultry imports was imposed by Japan´s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on Feb. 7 following the discovery of chickens infected with avian flu in Delaware.

    On June 9, Japan lifted the ban on imports except for those from the three states and Connecticut, New Jersey and Texas, wherethe end of an outbreak of a less virulent type of bird flu had notbeen confirmed.

    The import ban will remain for imports from Connecticut, New Jersey and Texas, according to the ministry.

news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-09/28/content_2035337.htm