France tightens precaution measures against avian influenza contamination: ministry

France on Thursday raised risks of eventual bird flu strain and imposed strict precaution measures to avoid contamination, the country's agriculture ministry said.

"Since recent cases in our European neighbors mainly affect migratory birds, the ministry has raised the level of risk in wetlands that concentrate wildlife and can be stops on the route of migrating birds," the ministry said.

Poultry farmers in high risk areas have to use confinement and safety nets to prevent poultry contacts with wild birds, it added.

The precaution plan also includes restrictions for hunters, notably of wild feathered game, in high risk zones, according to the statement.

No case of H5N8 avian influenza has been reported in France. However, cases of bird flu have been recorded in countries like Germany, Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland.

France, the European Union main producer of famous foie gras, detected bird flu outbreak last year, forcing the government to ban all duck and goose production in many southwestern departments. Endit