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Laws & Policies

Temporary Ban on the Importation of Domestic and Wild Birds and their Products Including Poultry Meat, Day Old Chicks, Eggs and Semen Originating From Belgium

Date Posted : 08 January 2024 

Effectivity : The Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain enforced unless revoked in writing.  

Ban on importation of products from France 

Based on the official report submitted by the Deputy CVO Head of Health Policy, Animal and Plants Unit, Directorate-general Animals, Plants and Food SPF, The Federal Public Service (FPS) Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Belgium to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on 01 December 2023, there was an outbreak of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 (HPAI) in Diksmuide, West-Vlaanderen, Vlaanderen, Belgium last 30 November 2023 affecting domestic birds (Gallus gallus) as confirmed by the Sciensano, National Public Health Institute of Belgium. Thus, there is a need to prevent the entry of HPAI virus to protect the health of the local poultry population. 

Accordingly, the Order is issued to institute the following emergency measures for the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products from Belgium: 

  1. Banning the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day old chicks, eggs, and semen;
  2. Immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation of the application and issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) import clearance to the above-stated commodities;
  3. All shipments coming from France that are IN TRANSIT/LOADED/ACCEPTED UNTO PORT before the official communication of this Order to the French Authorities shall be allowed provided that the products were slaughtered/produced on or before November 12, 2023; 
  4. Shipments that have not complied with the conditions outlined in Item 3 shall be dealt with as per Administrative Circular 6 series of 2022, Article IV, Section II.E; and 
  5. Stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of the above-stated commodities (with the exception of heat-treated products) into the country by all Veterinary Quarantine Officers/inspectors at all major ports of entry. 

Repeal : All orders inconsistent herewith are deemed revoked. 

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