UROPEWIDE BAN ON U.S. POULTRY The European Union imposed a ban until March 23 on importing live poultry and eggs from the United States, citing an outbreak of avian influenza in Texas. Last year the union imported 9 million eggs worth $25 million, a quarter of all eggs imported into the European bloc. Mexico also imposed a ban on poultry imports from the United States. That country bought nearly $100 million worth of American poultry in 2003. Elizabeth Becker (NYT)
FRANCE: U.S. HALTS IMPORT OF FRENCH MEATS The United States suspended the import of all French meat and poultry, saying France had failed an audit of meat inspection facilities. A spokeswoman for Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman said that the ban was effective immediately because of food safety concerns. Three of the 11 French meat or poultry establishments audited by the United States this month and in January failed. The top French meat exports are cold cuts, including hams and sausages. Elizabeth Becker (NYT)
SLOVAKIA: GYPSIES RIOT Slovakia said it planned to deploy more than 20,000 police officers and soldiers to quell rioting by hundreds of Gypsies protesting government welfare cuts. The Gypsies have been looting shops and clashing with the police. In eastern Trebisov, a bottle- and rock-throwing crowd injured two officers. The welfare cuts were set in motion as part of reforms supported by the European Union ahead of Slovakia's entry into the bloc in May with nine other countries. The union has repeatedly chided Slovakia for doing too little to integrate its Gypsy population into the mainstream. Some member countries fear that thousands may flee westward after the union expands in May. (Reuters)
IRELAND JOINS BRITAIN ON MIGRANT WORKER CURBS Ireland, the last European Union country to have no restrictions on immigrants from the eight former Soviet bloc countries joining the union in May, said it would limit access to social benefits. The announcement followed by a day a similar move by Britain. In Brussels, the president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, said he was looking into whether such restrictions violated European law. Brian Lavery (NYT)