UK Trade Restrictions Due To Avian Influenza

Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Veterinary
Article Date: 23 Apr 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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This information reflects information Defra has received in the last week or so (up to 21 April, 2006). They cannot guarantee that the information is comprehensive but it will include what information has come to their attention.

(Defra = Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK)

Background

Customer Information Note (CIN) GEN/06/56, issued Thursday, 6 April, explained the background to the UK avian influenza wild bird incident. Customer Information Note GEN/06/55, which provided weekly updates concerning international AI trade issues, also refers.

Algeria

We are awaiting confirmation that a revised Export Health Certificate for day-old chicks & hatching eggs is acceptable. A further letter about a revised certificate for duck/turkey chicks is to follow. An exporter has reported that the government has applied a ban to France and Scotland. No exports can take place until we receive an official response to our letter.

Argentina

We are awaiting confirmation that a revised certificate for hatching eggs is acceptable. Meanwhile, the global ban on imports of poultry and poultry meat is still in place. We have been advised that derogations will be allowed on a case-by-case basis. Exporters/importers will therefore need to check with the Argentine authorities that their consignment(s) will be accepted, particularly in the light of the dead swan incident.

Bahamas

Before the wild bird incident we were informed that the authorities' Veterinary Division does not have a "broad brush" ban but that import permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis. We have not received any reports on how the authorities have reacted to the dead swan incident.

Bangladesh

We have been informed by a reliable exporter that the authorities have introduced a UK poultry ban. Later news was that the ban had been rescinded. We are seeking clarification from the British High Commission, Dhaka.

Benin

An exporter reports that Benin may have introduced a ban. As the UK has no resident representation in Benin, the British High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria has been asked to investigate.

Canada

The authorities (CFIA) confirm that they recognise the principles of compartmentalisation and, if a disease only occurs in wildlife, do not automatically consider the entire animal population of a country to be infected.

However, CFIA is not currently issuing permits for the import of birds from any EU Member State, pending finalisation of a revision to Canada's existing import conditions. New import conditions were proposed to the EU Commission, who had agreed to discuss this proposal with the Member States. A follow up call between CFIA and the Commission has been scheduled for this week to discuss Member State comments.

China

China still fails to recognize the UK's freedom from Newcastle Disease as a result of last year's single outbreak in pheasants. It continues to ban all poultry commodities from the UK. Until the restrictions are lifted the Export Health Certificates for day-old ducklings/hatching eggs and chicken hatching eggs/day-old chicks remain unavailable to exporters. No Export Health Certificate exists for poultry meat to China. Although we have not received any reports on how the Chinese have reacted to the dead swan incident, the market remains closed.

Egypt

The Egyptian authorities have extended their poultry import ban for an unknown period. However, the restrictions on the importation of day-old chicks were lifted on 20 February 2006. We have not received any reports on how the Egyptians have reacted to the dead swan incident.

India

The authorities now require a supplementary wild bird statement which cannot be signed, at present, due to the dead swan incident.

Indonesia

We have informed by an exporter that a ban has been imposed. We are writing to the authorities to try and get any restrictions lifted.

Japan

Confirmation has been received from the authorities that they understand that H5N1 avian influenza virus was only found in a wild swan in Scotland. Provided this remains in wild birds only, trade can continue.

Jordan

Although the Jordanian authorities have introduced a worldwide ban on the importation of live birds, there is an exception for UK day-old chicks and hatching eggs. We have not received any reports on how the Jordanians have reacted to the dead swan incident.

Lebanon

British Embassy, Beirut confirms that Lebanese authorities do not propose to introduce trade restrictions, as long as the current AI situation does not change. Everything will depend on the final approval from their Ministry of Agriculture, at least a week prior to shipping.

Malaysia

The Malaysian authorities have confirmed a suspension of live bird imports from the UK. We are writing to try and get the restrictions lifted.

Morocco

A local newspaper reported some months ago that the Moroccan authorities have introduced a ban on exotic birds and birds of the following species: ostriches, pigeons, falcons, canaries, parrots and any other wild birds from all origins. Wild birds brought into Morocco through local frontiers will either have entry forbidden or will be killed in situ. The ban does not appear to include poultry. We have not received any reports on how the authorities have reacted to the dead swan incident.

Nepal

There is uncertainty over whether or not UK imports are acceptable. British Embassy, Kathmandu have been asked to clarify the position. Civil unrest in the country may hamper any exports.

Nigeria

We have been informed that the Nigerian authorities have introduced a global ban on all imports of birds, eggs, poultry meat & poultry products in order to develop their own local production.

Pakistan

We have been informed by an exporter that the authorities introduced a global poultry ban last month. However, British High Commission, Karachi has confirmed on 12 April that, although a number of other EU Member States are included in the negative list, the UK is not listed.

Philippines

We have heard from an exporter that an import ban has been imposed. We have written to the authorities and must await a reply before knowing whether exports can recommence.

Saudi Arabia

Exporters have heard rumours of a Saudi ban. The British Embassy, Riyadh is unaware of any trade restrictions. Concerned exporters can contact sharon.wardle@fco.gov.uk.

South Korea

The authorities have suspended quarantine and import procedures for live poultry and products for 28 days as a precaution to satisfy itself that the virus is confined to wild birds and is not in UK poultry. We will keep the pressure up on Korea to lift the ban but cannot of course guarantee that it will be lifted on schedule. Exporters should be cautious about planning future exports.

Sudan

We have asked the British Embassy, Khartoum, to seek the agreement of the Sudanese authorities to a revised Export Health Certificate for hatching eggs and day-old chicks. The certificate is temporarily on hold following the dead swan incident.

Syria

The British Embassy, Damascus, reports that the authorities have introduced a ban on the import of poultry from the UK. We are trying to get the restrictions lifted.

Thailand

The Thai authorities have introduced a temporary ban on the import of poultry and poultry carcases from Scotland into Thailand. We are urgently taking this matter up with the authorities but we may have been hampered by the start of the Songkran Holiday. We hope to receive news in the next day or two.

Turkey

Confirmation has been received from the British Embassy, Ankara that exports can continue.

Uganda

The Ugandan authorities have imposed a worldwide ban on the import of day-old chicks and hatching eggs due to avian influenza fears.

USA

The US authorities are not taking regulatory action on countries that have H5N1 in migratory or wild birds. This approach is consistent with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines.

Vietnam

Previously, the British Embassy, Hanoi, confirmed that imports of poultry were allowed. The originating country must be free from avian influenza (Note: as avian influenza in the UK is in a wild bird and not in poultry, the certifying veterinarian can continue to certify UK country freedom) and UK exporters must provide a specimen health certificate to the Department of Animal Health (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) to get approval prior to any shipment. We have not received any reports on how the authorities have reacted to the dead swan incident. Certificates will be made available on a case-by case basis.

Venezuela

We have been advised by the British Embassy, Caracas that, due to avian influenza concerns, the Venezuelan authorities have imposed import restrictions from the whole of the EU and Asia. Due to this, no import permits will be issued by Venezuela as a preventive measure. We are trying to persuade Venezuela that their import ban should not apply to the UK.

Yemen

Advised by the British Embassy, Sana'a that, due to avian influenza concerns, the Yemeni authorities have introduced an import ban. Companies should, however, contact the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation before ordering or importing. Each potential import will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Export Health Certificates for day-old chicks & hatching eggs are currently unavailable to exporters.

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 any enquiries or comments concerning this Customer Information Note please contact:
Rod MacArthur, Export Enquiries: 020 7904 6404
Email: iah-exports@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Defra - International Animal Health Division, Exports Strategy Branch

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