Import Alert: Removal of HPAI restrictions for avian commodities originating from or transiting Ontario, Canada

Import Alert:  Removal of HPAI restrictions for avian commodities originating from or transiting Ontario, Canada

 

Issuance Date:  August 25, 2015

Effective Date:  August 25, 2015

 

Effective immediately, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) is removing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) restrictions placed on the importation of poultry, commercial birds, other types of birds (pets, research, performing), ratites, any avian hatching eggs, unprocessed avian products and by-products, and certain fresh poultry products from the province of Ontario, Canada.  These temporary restrictions were placed on these commodities on April 9, 2015.

 

Effective immediately, CFIA will certify for export any live poultry, day old chicks or hatching eggs, unprocessed avian products or by-products that originated, within Ontario, Canada.

Pet birds, (including U.S. origin returning birds) originating from Ontario, can enter the United States from Canada through a U.S. port of entry without an import permit or a health certificate. Importers of pet birds must schedule a VS inspection at least 72 hours in advance of land-border port arrival. There is no quarantine requirement for pet birds importing from Canada.  Note: Canadian or U.S. origin pet birds importing via any land border port crossing from Canada, do not need an import permit, the VS inspection as referenced above, is all that is required. 

 

HPAI restrictions placed on unprocessed avian meat, products and by-products originating from or transiting through Canada, including the province of Ontario, in passenger baggage are removed. This also includes composted manure*, hunter harvested meat, and meat in passenger baggage whether shipped to the United States or accompanying returning hunters. Unfinished avian trophies are no longer required to be consigned to USDA approved establishments and VS permits are no longer required.

 

Processed avian meat, products and by-products for personal use originating from or transiting through Canada, including the province of Ontario, and entering in passenger baggage are unrestricted.

 

Processed avian meat, products and by-products originating from or transiting through the province of Ontario and imported as cargo, must be accompanied by an APHIS import permit and/or appropriate Canadian government (CFIA) certification. All unprocessed and processed avian meat and meat products imported as cargo must be accompanied by the appropriate Canadian government certification and/or an APHIS import permit with the appropriate documentation.

 

The Animal Products Manual will be updated accordingly to reflect these changes. For any other questions, please contact a local Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Veterinary Regulatory Support (VRS) Agriculture Quarantine Inspection (AQI), Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO), or PPQ VRS headquarters staff in Riverdale, Maryland at (301) 851-2295.

 

* USDA plant quarantine should be applied if appropriate.