Iowa's ban on poultry exhibitions lifted

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has announced that the order cancelling all live bird exhibitions at county fairs, the Iowa State Fair, livestock auction markets, swap meets, exotic sales and other gatherings of birds due to avian influenza has been lifted.
“This is very good news and another sign that we continue to recover from this devastating animal health emergency. We know the ban on exhibitions caused some real challenges for those anticipating showing or selling birds, but we appreciate everyone cooperating as we worked to stop the disease and then allow the industry to recover,” said Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.
The Department issued the order prohibiting poultry exhibitions on May 21 in the midst of the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The ban was put into place to minimize spread of HPAI and protect the state’s domestic bird population. Lifting the poultry exhibition ban comes as a result of no new cases of HPAI in Iowa since June and the lifting of the final quarantine on Dec. 1. Iowa is now considered free of HPAI.
A total of 77 premises and 31.5 million birds were affected with the disease in Iowa. There are 35 commercial turkey flocks, 22 commercial egg production flocks, 13 pullet flocks, one chicken breeding flock, one mail order hatchery, and five backyard flocks.

Michigan poultry exhibition ban lifted

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) lifted the statewide ban on poultry exhibitions on Dec. 23. MDARD implemented the ban as a precautionary measure in June 2015 in response to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak happening across the U.S.
MDARD evaluated the disease risk and current national status and decided it’s appropriate to lift the ban on poultry exhibitions. MDARD continues to monitor the national HPAI situation and may reinstate the poultry exhibition ban if the disease re-emerges. Although not limited to the following situations, these are some specific situations in which MDARD would consider reinstating the ban:

1. Detection of HPAI in a wild bird in the Mississippi flyway.
2. Detection of HPAI in domestic flocks in states surrounding Michigan or nearby areas of Canada.
3. Cases of HPAI in wild or domestic birds in other flyways, if the cases appear to be spreading.

The ban prevented the commingling of birds from different locations, including exhibitions, swap meets, petting zoos at fairs, game bird and waterfowl fair displays, and Miracle of Life exhibits. MDARD partnered with Michigan State University Extension 4-H, Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, and other partners to inform youth of the announcement and identify ways to engage Michigan’s youth poultry exhibitors and allow them to showcase their knowledge and experience.
“I would like to thank MSU Extension and our youth leaders who created a meaningful educational experience out of an unfortunate situation,” said Dr. James Averill, MDARD’s state veterinarian. “Their partnership was invaluable in protecting all of Michigan’s poultry flocks statewide from this devastating disease.”
Concern for the possibility of a return of HPAI in the U.S still remains. Generally, heightened findings of influenza viruses in wild birds will begin in winter and go through spring as birds comingle and migrate south, and cold weather helps keep the virus alive. The last case of HPAI in domestic birds was documented in June; however, the domestic population is always at risk of influenza infection from wild waterfowl which may spread the virus in their droppings. MDARD continues to encourage poultry owners to practice proper biosecurity and contact their local veterinarian if they have sick birds. However, if a flock is experiencing severe illness or multiple death losses, contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 or for after-hours emergencies call 517-373-0440.

Minnesota lifts ban on poultry exhibitions

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has lifted the ban placed on poultry exhibitions and other gatherings of birds. They will be permitted at fairs, swap meets, exotic sales, petting zoos and other events where birds are gathered or commingled.
The directive to prohibit birds from exhibition was made on May 15 in the midst of the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The ban was put into place to minimize spread of HPAI and protect the state’s domestic bird population. Lifting the poultry exhibition ban comes as a result of no new cases of HPAI in Minnesota since June 5.
During the spring 2015 outbreak, 108 farms spanning 23 counties were infected with HPAI in Minnesota. All infected farms have completed cleaning and disinfection of their facilities as of Nov. 13, and 104 farms have been cleared to restock their barns with birds.
West Virgina has lifted a similar ban; for more information, click here.

Kuwait lifts ban on poultry from India

After reaching the conclusion that India is free of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza, government officials in Kuwait have lifted the country’s ban on Indian poultry, India’s Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) announced.
APEDA in late October was informed by the Public Authority of Agriculture Affiars and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) that Kuwait will open up the import of live birds, hatching eggs and day-old layer and broiler chicks from India.
PAAAFR further stated that all Indian poultry shipments will be subjected to health procedures issued by the PAAAFR’s Animal Health Department, in accordance with the requirements of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
The lifting of the ban on poultry from India is effective immediately, according to Faisal Saoud Al-Hassawi, chairman and director general of PAAAFR.
The ban had been in place since 2013, according to a report from The Hindu Business Line.
To learn more about avian influenza and its impact on the global poultry industry, see WATTAgNet’s avian influenza update page.

WTO reaffirms India ban on US poultry, eggs unfair

• 

  National Chicken Council

  The World Trade Organization has again ruled that India's ban on poultry and eggs from the United States is unfair.

  From WATTAgNet:
  The World Trade Organization (WTO) has upheld its ruling that India’s ban on U.S. poultry and egg imports is unfair.
  The initial decision was issued by the WTO in October 2014, but officials from India appealed the ruling on January 26.
  The dispute between India and the U.S. dates back to 2007, when India banned imports of various agriculture products from the United States in what it called a precautionary measure to prevent outbreaks of low pathogenic avian influenza. The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) disagreed, and called India’s ban “thinly veiled protectionism” and that India provided no scientific evidence to support the ban.
  The WTO ruling, issued on the morning of June 4, and those who lobbied for it are being applauded by U.S. industry groups, including USAPEEC and the National Chicken Council (NCC).
  "We want to thank U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and their teams, for their tireless work to pursue this case to the favorable outcome that was achieved today," said NCC and USAPEEC in a joint statement about the WTO ruling.  "Indian consumers deserve access to affordable and safe protein, which the U.S. has the ability to provide. We hope that the Indian administration will comply with the ruling and will be amenable to working with the U.S. government and industry to remove all restrictions and allow access for U.S. poultry in the near future, which we estimate would be $300 million a year once India's restrictions are removed."

Saudi Arabia bans Ontario poultry, eggs over AI fears

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  Saudi Arabia has issued a temporary ban on eggs and poultry from Ontario, citing concerns about avian influenza.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Food and Drug Authority has temporarily banned the import of poultry meat and eggs from the Canadian province of Ontario because avian influenza fears.
  Saudi Arabia has already imposed similar bans on poultry and eggs from Thailand and from the United States, which has had confirmed avian influenza outbreaks in 18 states.
  The ban on Ontario poultry follows three outbreaks of H5N2 avian influenza that have been confirmed in the province. All three outbreaks have occurred in Ontario’s Oxford County.
  Ontario’s three cases of avian influenza confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) affected two commercial turkey flocks and one broiler breeder operations. The turkey operations included flocks of 44,800 and 8,000 birds, respectively, while the broiler breeder operation had a flock of 27,000 birds, according to CFIA.
  All three Ontario avian influenza cases were confirmed in April.
  Ontario is one of two Canadian provinces to have confirmed cases of avian influenza, with British Columbia being the other. However, animal health officials have said that it is doubtful that outbreaks in the two provinces are related.
  See WATTAgNet’s avian influenza map to keep updated on avian influenza outbreaks in Canada and the United States.

Philippines lifts ban on poultry from Japan

A ban on poultry products from Japan has been lifted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) of the Philippines, nearly one year after the country temporarily halted the import of Japanese poultry.
Philippine Agriculture Secretary Secretary Proceso J. Alcala ordered the lifting of the ban, announcing that “the risk of contamination from importing poultry and poultry products from Japan is negligible.”
This follows an evaluation by the Bureau of Animal Industry, which cited the resolution of the highly pathogenicavian influenza (HPAI) event as reported by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture.
The lifting of the ban covers domestic and wild birds -- including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen originating from Japan, according to a report published byBusiness World.
In April 2014, the DA banned the entry of the poultry products following the outbreak of HPAI virus in parts of Japan. The outbreak was detected in a poultry broiler farm and was confirmed by the central laboratory.
Other import bans on poultry products are still in effect in the Philippines, covering portions of the United States, Taiwan’s Chiayi County and Israel.
The lifting of the ban also comes at a time where a ban that Japan had imposed on poultry from the Philippines is being lifted. That ban was in place for about ten years, also because of concerns about the possible spread of avian influenza.

US senators urge South Africa president to drop poultry ban

U.S. Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., cautioned South African President Jacob Zuma that continued refusal to eliminate unfair duties on U.S. poultry could jeopardize South Africa’s continued eligibility for trade benefits available under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in a letter sent December 9. Congress will consider reauthorization of AGOA in 2015.
“The antidumping duties South Africa has levied on U.S. poultry have been in place for fourteen years, effectively blocking our companies from accessing your market,” the senators wrote in a letter to Zuma. “We understand that our trade officials recently discussed the ongoing negotiations regarding poultry, as well as other market access issues for other U.S. exports to South Africa. We strongly encourage you to pursue solutions expeditiously that guarantee market access for U.S. poultry.”
The United States has worked directly with the government of South Africa for years in attempt to remove the duties levied on U.S. poultry. In 2013, the World Trade Organization ruled against an almost identical system of duties imposed on American chicken by China, deeming it a violation of global trade rules.
“As you know, Congress is in the process of considering reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act,” the senators wrote. “We urge you to ensure that conversations continue to make progress towards eliminating the antidumping duties on U.S. poultry and that this issue is resolved before Congress takes up AGOA reauthorization, which could be early next year. We will need to reconsider the extension of duty preferences under AGOA for South Africa if this situation is not resolved.”
The African Growth and Opportunity Act has served as the cornerstone of the U.S. commercial relationship with Africa since its enactment in 2000, successfully expanding U.S. trade with African countries that show a commitment to good governance and democratic principles. It has improved the trade environment both for U.S. and African businesses, and has spurred significant economic growth.
Sen. Coons chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs. Senator Isakson is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which will have jurisdiction over the AGOA reauthorization bill. The two co-founded the bipartisan Senate Chicken Caucus in 2013.

Arkansas poultry no longer banned in Japan

Japan has ended its ban on the import of poultry from Arkansas. In late June, Japan banned the import of poultry from Arkansas, after a poultry farm in Boles, Ark., had chickens showing antibodies consistent with H7N7 avian influenza.
About 9,000 chickens were destroyed, the farm was disinfected and poultry within a 6.2-mile radius of the farm was quarantined. The area has since been declared free of avian influenza.
Similar bans on Arkansas poultry were enacted by Russia and China. Russia ended its ban in September, but China's ban on Arkansas poultry is still in place.

Singapore’s nine-year ban on chicken products from Thailand ends

Singapore has ended its nine-year ban on frozen and processed chicken from Thailand. The decision to lift the ban on Thai chicken imports came after a series of meetings under the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship, which were held in mid-October.
The ban was initially enacted in 2004 because of an outbreak of avian influenza in Thailand.
On October 22, Thai Commerce Minister Niwatthumrong Boonsongpaisan said that Thailand should enjoy more opportunities to increase shipments to Singapore, as the city-state is one of the high-potential markets for chicken and many other products, according to news reports.
"Singapore now has high confidence to import frozen chicken from Thailand as it acknowledges our high sanitary standards. It will help facilitate more imports of frozen chicken from Thailand to increase trade," the commerce minister said.

United Arab Emirates imposes ban on Bulgarian poultry

Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, minister of environment and water for the United Arab Emirates, has issued a temporary ban on the import of live birds and poultry products from Bulgaria.
Bin Fahd also issued temporary bans on the import of small animals and their products from Algeria, and cattle and related products from Lebanon.
The decisions were based on reports issued by the World Organization for Animal Health, which indicated the existence of some disease in those countries.

Oman lifts India poultry import ban

Oman's ministry of agriculture and fisheries has lifted an import ban on poultry from India put in place due to bird flu concerns, according to reports.
In March, the World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed reports of the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the districts of Odisha, Tripura and Meghalaya, India. India's veterinary authorities have since determined that there is no longer any risk from poultry imports. The ban's lift comes at an opportune time, according to traders. "Stocks will be readily available as demand in the Indian market is down these days because of Hindu festivals," said Prashant Desai, commercial manager of Al Hamadi Trading & Contracting. "Within ten days we hope to have Indian poultry products in the Omani market."