(Ecofin Agency) - Could Loïc Evain have been wrong? After cases of avian flu had been confirmed in France and four northern African countries closed their borders to French poultry, Deputy Director General of Food told AFP everything was under control and that countries such as Morocco would soon be able to reopen their doors to France’s poultry.

However, Maghreb Emergent, says otherwise. Indeed, Rabat just raised its level of awareness in face of this potential threat to its livestock.

The alert was given at air and sea borders to prevent all French poultry from entering the Kingdom. Moroccan office for food products sanitation also reached out to veterinarians, telling them to be more vigilant. With these signs, a quick returning to normal is unlikely considering that Les Landes was touched by the virus.

For its part, France’s minister of Agriculture Stéphane Le Foll tried to calm the situation down saying: “Human beings cannot contract the Avian Influenza through consumption of infected products knowingly, meat, eggs, foie gras or any other food product”. However, it is yet to know if this will suffice to reassure Northern African countries.

Aaron Akinocho