NOTICE: Poultry Products Exported to the United States from EU-25 Poultry Trade Regions

APHIS’ final rule recognizing a poultry trade region (PTR) in the European Union (EU) became effective on April 15, 2013. The rule recognizes 25 countries in this PTR as free of Newcastle disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).  The rule also recognizes the ability of these countries to take appropriate restrictive actions on a zoned basis in the event of any outbreaks of these diseases.  

  

The EU-25 PTR countries are as follows: 

 

 

Austria	Belgium	Cyprus	Czech Republic
Denmark	Estonia	Finland	France
Germany	Greece	Hungary	Ireland
Italy	Latvia	Lithuania	Luxembourg
Malta	The Netherlands	Poland	Portugal
Slovakia	Slovenia	Spain	Sweden
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom includes England, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, and Northern Ireland.

 

The rule changes the requirements for the importation of poultry/bird products and by-products (including meat and eggs) into the United States from the EU-25 PTR. The rule also addresses the movement of these commodities under official seal throughout any areas in the EU-25 PTR that may be restricted under EU legislation during a Newcastle disease or HPAI outbreak. 

 

Beginning June 3, 2013, imported poultry meat, meat products, egg, egg products, and products that contain such ingredients for human consumption must be accompanied by a veterinary export health certificate. Shipments of poultry/bird products and by-products  (i.e., blood, specimens, bird nests, rooster combs, hyaluronic acid, feathers, dietary supplements containing bird/poultry ingredients such as chondroitin sulfate, poultry products and by-products for animal use/pet food products) must be accompanied by an import permit issued by Veterinary Services’ National Center for Import and Export.

 

Other details about imports from the EU-25 PTR can be found in the final rule at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/aphis_general/2013/european_bird_import.pdf

 

Any questions about these changes may be directed to the National Center for Import and Export by calling 301-851-3300, menu option 5.