Import Alert: Release of HPAI Restrictions on One Zone in Canada    

Import Alert: Release of HPAI Restrictions on One Zone in Canada  

Issuance date: August 23, 2023 

3:40 pm U.S. Eastern 

Effective date: August 22, 2023—PCZ-93 in Alberta 

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 the zone listed above. PCZ-93 was the last remaining zone in Canada under APHIS restriction for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Effective on the date listed above, no zones in Canada are under APHIS restriction for HPAI. 

VS placed avian commodity import restrictions on the zone listed above due to the diagnosis of HPAI in domestic birds. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has now demonstrated complete resolution of the HPAI outbreak in this zone, and the zone has met the requirements to regain its previous HPAI-free status in accordance with Article 10.4.6 of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Therefore, this alert removes APHIS’ HPAI-related import restrictions for avian commodities originating from or transiting this zone.  

As a result of this action, pet birds, commercial birds, and Columbiformes such as pigeons and doves imported from Canada no longer require an APHIS import permit if presenting at a land border port, except for pet birds transiting Canada from the lower 48 States to Alaska. A health certificate issued by the CFIA is required for commercial birds imported from Canada, but not for pet birds. Zoo birds must still have an import permit and a health certificate. 

Hunter-harvested wild game bird meat and carcasses must meet the conditions outlined in the APHIS Import Alert issued August 15, 2023, which can be found at the “Canada - Hunter Harvested Wild Game Bird Carcasses” link under Temporary Restrictions on the APHIS website. These restrictions will be updated as additional epidemiological information is obtained. 

Current information can be found on the APHIS website.