International trade: Customer Information Notes - GE/08/92
UK trade restrictions due to avian influenza (AI)
This Customer Information Note reflects information we have received in the last day or so. We cannot guarantee that the information is comprehensive but it will include what information has come to our attention. We would welcome any feedback from exporters about whether export markets are open or closed. Please email such information to the Export Strategy Branch (see further enquires below).
Background
Customer Information Notes GEN/07/359, issued on 12 November 2007, and GEN/08/08, issued on 10 January 2008, explained the background to the UK avian influenza outbreaks which occurred in November 2007 and January 2008 respectively. Official freedom from Notifiable Avian Influenza (NAI) under OIE rules will be restored 3 months after final cleansing and disinfection of the premises has been completed. This process was completed on 29 April 2008 and we expect to be declared officially free by the end of July 2008.
Information
Defra will be issuing information about the incident(s) and regularly updating the Defra website.
We are also issuing Customer Information Notes (CINs) about international trade, as and when we receive information.
Trade Restrictions
Some of the details below arise from the avian influenza outbreaks last year. They are included because trade has not restarted and is unlikely to do so following the November 07 outbreak. Latest updates are in bold type.
COUNTRY |
RESTRICTION |
Algeria |
The authorities have requested an updated report on the current outbreak before deciding whether or not to regionalise. |
Australia |
Will not accept imports from countries with HPAI. |
Bangladesh |
All poultry and poultry products banned from the UK. |
Barbados |
The authorities have lifted their ban on poultry and poultry products from the UK |
Brazil |
Live birds/poultry, bird genetic material, and non-heat-treated goods banned. |
Cameroon |
Imports permitted on a case-by-case basis |
Canada |
Canada agreed to regionalisation as per Canada/EU veterinary agreement. |
Cayman Islands |
Ban on all imports of UK live birds, poultry meat and poultry meat products. |
China |
Poultry and poultry products certificates have not been agreed |
Egypt |
Imports are banned from countries with AI. CVO letter sent on 29 May 08 seeking confirmation whether exports of breeding poultry may resume from 29 July 2008 |
Hong Kong |
The authorities have lifted their ban on 12 May 08 and agreed regionalisation, with supplementary certification for poultry meat/meat products (the birds must not be raised, slaughtered, processed or stored in the counties of Suffolk or Norfolk and the date of slaughter must be on or after 16 May 08). They will also hold and test the first 3 consignments exported from the UK . |
India |
Will not accept imports from countries with HPAI. |
Indonesia |
Certificates for breeding poultry require Great Britain to be officially free of HPAI for 12 months |
Iran |
Authorities have agreed to permit imports of UK day old chicks provided the consignment has not originated from any zone under restriction. |
Israel |
Authorities have reinstated the regionalisation agreement, with supplementary certification. |
Japan |
JMAFF have lifted the ban on breeding poultry, poultry meat and other poultry based products on 26 May 08. (meat from poultry slaughtered on or after 26 May, eggs laid on or after 26 May will be eligible for exports). Export certificate for day old chicks is available for use. Poultry meat/products certificate is being negotiated. Birds/birds of prey are still banned. CVO letters sent on 4 and 30 April to MHLW and the Embassy have lobbied. MHLW officially waiting for OIE freedom before lifting ban on birds of prey, but may be influenced by JMAFF decision |
Jersey |
Authorities have relaxed the ban and will allow licensed imports from premises outside the Restricted Zone. Export health certificate will need to be amended |
Kuwait |
Due to several outbreaks on private farms in Kuwait, all live birds are now banned from all countries. |
Lebanon |
Samples of the shipment will be taken on arrival and if the test results are clear the birds will be imported but if they are not they will be destroyed. |
Malaysia |
Has imposed a ban due to the AI outbreak |
Mauritius |
The authorities will accept consignments accompanied by a certificate giving area/farm/hatchery freedom from HPAI. Certificates will be made available on production of a valid import permit. |
Morocco |
The authorities have imposed a ban on breeding poultry until UK regains OIE freedom from AI. AI report sent on 27 March 08. |
Philippines |
Not accepting exports from UK |
Republic of Korea |
Ban on all imports of UK poultry and poultry meat. CVO letter and AI report sent on 13 and 27 March 08. No positive response. |
Russian Federation |
The authorities wish to come and inspect poultry premises in the UK. They have cancelled the proposed visit for the week commencing 21 April 08 .
|
Saudi Arabia |
British Embassy Riyadh have been informed that the authorities are still importing live poultry and hatching eggs from Great Britain. They are regionalising GB except for the affected regions. |
Senegal |
Importation of poultry and poultry products banned until further notice. |
Singapore |
Live birds, poultry, poultry eggs and poultry products from UK |
South Africa |
Ban on live poultry and birds, eggs, fresh (including frozen) poultry meat (certificate not finalised) and other poultry products not subjected to a process to ensure the satisfactory inactivation of the avian influenza virus (must be proven scientifically). The authorities have accepted compartmentalisation for two breeding poultry premises. |
Sri Lanka |
Not issuing import permits. We have asked the authorities to agree the certificate for day old chicks. |
St Lucia |
The authorities have banned poultry meat |
Syria |
CVO letter and AI report sent on 7 April 08. |
Taiwan |
The authorities have imposed a ban. They require the completion of a detailed questionnaire for Newcastle Disease and avian influenza which cannot be completed until we regain our AI country freedom. |
Thailand |
Import ban on poultry & poultry products until UK regains OIE country freedom from AI. |
Tunisia |
Authorities have imposed a ban |
Turkey |
Live birds and their products (except heat-treated egg and egg-products) banned from East Anglia, Wales and West Midlands district. |
Uganda |
Will not normally accept imports from countries with AI. Imports of breeding poultry may permitted on a case-by-case basis |
Ukraine |
The authorities have lifted their ban in April 08. Export certificates for poultry meat/products and mechanically recovered meat are available for use |
United Arab Emirates |
Live birds and poultry products from UK are banned. Will permit birds of prey following negative tests for avian influenza to be completed 7 days prior to export. |
United States |
Live birds, hatching eggs, unprocessed avian products from Suffolk & Norfolk. We had written to request that the restrictions are lifted. We hope that the authorities will again regionalise the area where the current outbreak has occurred. |
Zambia |
Has imposed a ban due to AI. |
Zimbabwe |
The authorities have accepted compartmentalisation for two breeding poultry premises. |
CIN Circulation List
If you are not receiving this CIN by email and you would like to do so, please send your name and email address to the address below.
Further Enquiries
If you have an export query please contact your local Animal Health Division Office.
If you have any enquiries or comments concerning this Customer Information Note please contact Export Enquiries: mailto:iah-exports@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Page published: 30 May, 2008