The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is temporarily suspending the importation of all live poultry, hatching eggs, and raw fresh/frozen poultry products originating from France, effective Oct. 1, 2023.

This measure is being taken to manage the potential risk from France’s vaccination campaign for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

The products affected are:

  • live birds and hatching eggs
  • all unprocessed avian and poultry products and by-products including eggs, feathers, poultry manure, and litter
  • laboratory material containing poultry products or by-products
  • raw or unprocessed pet food containing poultry products or by-products
  • edible or inedible raw poultry meat

Note: Products that are heat treated, cooked, canned, or hermetically sealed, commercially sterile meat products will continue to be eligible for import.

In order to be affected by this suspension, products must be sourced, processed, packaged or shipped from France and imported into Canada directly or indirectly.

The CFIA is currently conducting a risk assessment. The industry will be informed if and when there are further changes based on the risk assessment.

Background

In March 2023, the European Union (EU) passed new legislation governing the use of vaccination as a strategy for the mitigation of outbreaks of animal diseases, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

The CFIA must evaluate any risks posed by these imports on the Canadian public health, animal health, poultry industry, as well as any secondary trade implications for poultry and poultry products exported from Canada.

Since June 2023, the CFIA has been in close contact with France and the EU to obtain additional information. Until completion of the evaluation, the CFIA will temporarily suspend import of all unprocessed poultry and poultry products originating from France as of Oct. 1, 2023.

Ducks

In addition to the current mitigation measures for HPAI (biosecurity and surveillance), France will initiate mandatory HPAI vaccination in ducks raised for meat production in October 2023.

France’s plan states that vaccination of ducks for meat production is mandatory, and that vaccination of breeder ducks is permitted only for birds that will not be exported from France.

It is unclear whether meat from vaccinated ducks will be eligible for export to other countries, and how France will identify, trace and control vaccinated breeding stock.

To stay informed on trade news and other important updates, PARTNER UP WITH A CUSTOMS BROKER HERE