PAFN bans poultry imports from Mexico, Portugal’s Santarém over avian flu
Kuwait updates poultry import restrictions following global avian influenza developments; GAFA tightens and lifts poultry import bans in line with disease outbreaks
The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN) has recommended a ban on the import of all types of fresh, chilled, frozen and processed poultry meat, along with their derivatives and table eggs, from Portugal’s Santarém province, following the outbreak of highly contagious avian influenza in the area. The ban excludes products that have undergone sufficient heat treatment to eliminate the virus.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, the Authority also recommended lifting the ban on similar poultry products imported from the Portuguese region of Vendas Novas, citing the official end of the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak there.
Additionally, PAFN recommended imposing a ban on the import of all fresh, chilled, frozen and processed poultry meat, their derivatives and table eggs from Mexico, with the exception of adequately heat-treated products, due to the spread of highly contagious avian influenza.
At the same time, the Authority announced the lifting of import bans on poultry meat and table eggs from China, Turkey and Bangladesh, following confirmation that avian influenza outbreaks in those countries have been brought under control.
PAFN further noted that imports of food products derived from cattle will be permitted in accordance with Article 2.4.11 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), relating to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), even from countries subject to disease-related restrictions.
This decision aligns with international health standards aimed at safeguarding food safety while ensuring continuity of imports.
