Japan lifts import suspension on live poultry, hatching eggs and liquid eggs from 11 regions in the Netherlands

As of 21 October 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has lifted the temporary suspension on the import of live poultry (chicken, quail, ostrich, turkey, pheasant, guinea fowl and birds classified into anseriformes order), hatching eggs and liquid eggs of poultry from 11 Animal Health Municipalities (AHMs) defined by the Netherlands.

On 30 October 2020 Japan suspended imports of live poultry, hatching eggs and liquid eggs from 2 AHMs after a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on a broiler breeder farm in Altforst, province of Gelderland in the Netherlands. As a result of subsequent confirmations of HPAI, imports were eventually suspended for 14 out of the total 20 AHMs in the Netherlands. As of today the suspension has been lifted for 11 out of these 14 AHMs (AHM 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18 and 19). For live poultry, hatching eggs and liquid eggs, regionalization applies, and export was still possible for not affected AHMs.

Japan maintains the temporary suspension on the import of poultry meat, poultry eggs (other than hatching eggs and liquid eggs) and live birds (not poultry) from the entire territory of the Netherlands as regionalization does not apply to these products. Bilateral consultations between the Netherlands and Japan are ongoing in an effort to lift the remaining suspension measures.

For more information or clarification, Dutch exporters or their local agents in Japan are advised by the Japanese authorities to consult Animal Quarantine Service and Quarantine Station at the Japanese port of entry before shipment to Japan.

Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) (inquiry point for live poultry and poultry products)

Quarantine Station (inquiry point for food sanitation of poultry products)

Quarantine Station (inquiry point for birds other than poultry)

Poultry