i- On September 29, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it would be placing restrictions on the importation of poultry from France, as well as live ducks, duck eggs, and unmitigated/untreated duck products from the European Poultry Trade Region (EPTR)), as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. The restrictions are due to an increased risk of introducing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) into the U.S. and became effective October 1, 2023.
- The U.S. does not currently allow the import of poultry from countries affected with HPAI or from flocks that have received HPAI vaccinations. Vaccinated birds may not show signs of HPAI infection, which could lead to the export of infected live animals or virus-contaminated products to the U.S. These restrictions follow France’s recent decision to vaccinate commercial meat ducks against HPAI.
- European countries did not consider vaccination against HPAI at the time the EPTR was established. Given the way poultry moves through the EPTR, APHIS has concluded that there is no assurance currently that countries trading in the European common market can reliably certify that exports do not originate from European countries that vaccinate for HPAI. APHIS intends for these restrictions to address the risk of open trade within Europe, while accounting for the higher risk with imports from France.
- APHIS is engaged in ongoing discussions with the European Commission regarding HPAI vaccination programs in the EU.
New Restrictions on Poultry and Poultry Products from France and the EU
Thursday, October 5, 2023
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