'The idea of the new move is to get away from the possibilities of cross-contamination', a ministry spokeswoman said.

The ministry spokeswoman, Nataliya Lukash, said that 55 people were hospitalized, while other reports cited lower figures.

A ministry spokeswoman said the testing was 'not intended to stop the eggs going onto the market'.

A foreign ministry spokeswoman said most favoured nation trade status was "a reciprocal and a mutually beneficial trade arrangement."

Last week in Beijing, a foreign ministry spokeswoman failed to respond directly to a debris question.

"The interests and development of Niger," a ministry spokeswoman said, "require the rapid return of democracy."

A ministry spokeswoman confirmed that account.

"The Chinese government has consistently opposed and vigorously attacked according to the law all internet-wrecking crimes, including hacking," a foreign ministry spokeswoman told reporters.

A ministry spokeswoman said France was ready to hold talks.

But a ministry spokeswoman said she had no information about whether they were aware of, or involved in, the abuse of prisoners there.