The State Administration of Forestry has issued an emergency notice banning the hunting, transport and sale of wild birds to prevent the spread of avian influenza.

Volunteer activities to protect birds this spring must be also suspended, said the notice.

Some wild birds have begun to return from south China as the weather gets warmer, which could significantly increase the risk of spreading bird flu, an administration official said.

The administration would soon launch a special campaign to crack down on the illegal hunting and sale of wild birds, forestry officials said.

A more thorough mechanism of monitoring and examination must be established and more detailed information about migratory birds, including breeds, habitats and habits, must be gathered, said the notice.

The administration urged local governments to closely monitor the habits and habitats of migratory birds and prevent people and livestock from entering the habitats.

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2004)