Import Alert: HPAI Restrictions on Avian Commodities Originating from or Transiting a Zone in Alberta, Canada

Import Alert: HPAI Restrictions on Avian Commodities Originating from or Transiting a Zone in Alberta, Canada 

Issuance Date: September 18, 2023 

                          12:18 pm, U.S. Eastern 

Effective Date: September 11, 2023—PCZ-191 in Alberta 

Effective on the date(s) listed above and until further notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) is restricting 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(s) listed above. Any of these commodities originating from or transiting a restricted zone are prohibited, based on the diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in domestic birds. 

Maps of the zone(s) listed above are available on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Highly pathogenic avian influenza zones webpage. 

With this detection, APHIS requires a health certificate from the CFIA and an import permit for pet and zoo birds, as well as Columbiformes, such as pigeons and doves, imported from Canada. 

Pet birds, zoo birds, and Columbiformes originating from or transiting a restricted zone must be flown directly to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York or Miami International Airport in Florida, to undergo a 30-day federal quarantine that includes mandatory testing. 

Under these restrictions, processed avian products and byproducts originating from or transiting a restricted zone, 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 of fresh, unprocessed shell/table eggs and other egg products, void of the shell (i.e., liquid eggs and dried egg whites) originating from or transiting a restricted zone, imported as cargo, 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/are not required for these shipments when consigned to an APHIS-approved establishment.  

Processed avian products and byproducts, including eggs and egg products, for personal use originating from or transiting a restricted zone and entering in passenger baggage must:  

Unprocessed avian products and byproducts for personal use or in passenger baggage originating from or transiting through a restricted zone will not be permitted to enter the United States. 

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 on the Temporary Restrictions List at the “Canada - Hunter Harvested Wild Game Bird Carcasses” link.  

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