European Union veterinary experts have extended a ban on imports of captive live birds for a further four months to guard against the spread of bird flu.
The ban, which covers captive live birds other than poultry imported for commercial purposes, was first imposed in late October and was set to expire at the end of this month.
In a statement, the EU executive said the measure was being prolonged to the end of May to cover the spring migration season, when birds return to their nesting grounds, because of the situation in Turkey and other countries where the disease is still present.
An outbreak of the deadly H5N1 virus in Turkey has killed four children, the first human deaths outside East Asia, where at least 80 people have died since late 2003.
Victims contract the virus through close contact with sick birds, but there are fears it could mutate into a form that can pass easily from person to person, sparking a pandemic.
At present, EU countries can allow no more than five birds accompanying their owners to enter from non-EU countries, provided they have already been quarantined for 30 days.
Otherwise, the birds will be quarantined for the same period in the EU country of destination. They can also be admitted if they have been vaccinated against bird flu or tested negative for bird flu in a 10-day isolation period before travel.