Import Alert: Release of HPAI Restrictions on Cachapoal and Melipilla Provinces in Chile 

Import Alert: Release of HPAI Restrictions on Cachapoal and Melipilla Provinces in Chile 

Issuance date: July 17, 2023 

   04:15 pm U.S. Eastern 

Effective date: July 17, 2023 

Effective on the date listed above, and until further notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) is removing restrictions on the importation of poultry, commercial birds, ratites, avian hatching eggs, unprocessed avian products and byproducts, and certain fresh poultry products originating from or transiting Cachapoal and Melipilla Provinces in Chile. 

VS placed avian commodity restrictions on these provinces due to the diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in domestic birds. The Chilean Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) has now demonstrated complete resolution of the HPAI outbreaks in these provinces and met the requirements to regain the previous HPAI-free status in accordance with Article 10.4.6 of the World Organisation for Animal Health Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Therefore, this alert removes the HPAI restrictions for avian commodities originating from or transiting these provinces. 

As previously announced, VS continues to restrict the importation of poultry, commercial birds, ratites, avian hatching eggs, unprocessed avian products and byproducts, and certain fresh poultry products originating from or transiting these provinces: Linares, Concepción, and Talca Provinces. Importation of any of these commodities originating from or transiting a restricted province is prohibited, based on the diagnosis of HPAI in domestic birds. 

Under these restrictions, processed avian products and byproducts originating from or transiting any restricted province, imported as cargo, must be accompanied by an APHIS import permit and/or government certification confirming that the products were treated according to APHIS requirements. 

Importation, as cargo, of fresh, unprocessed shell/table eggs and other egg products, void of the shell (i.e., liquid eggs, dried egg whites), originating from or transiting any restricted province is prohibited unless they are consigned from the port of arrival directly to an APHIS-approved breaking and pasteurization facility. An import permit and/or certificate is not required for these shipments when consigned directly to an APHIS-approved establishment. 

Importation of poultry, commercial birds, ratites, and hatching eggs originating from or transiting a restricted province is prohibited. However, pet and zoo birds, pigeons, and doves may be imported under an APHIS import permit and will be subject to a 30-day quarantine at the New York Animal Import Center in Newburgh, NY, or the Miami Animal Import Center in Miami, FL. 

These restrictions will be updated as additional epidemiological information is obtained. Current information can be found on the APHIS website.