Russia bans Mexican poultry product imports
The ban took effect immediately upon its adoption yesterday (19 July) and applies to the import of poultry into the territory of all members of the Customs Union. According to preliminary data, it not only prohibits companies in the Customs Union from buying poultry products, but also prevents them from delivering poultry products already purchased from Mexico.
The official statement from Rosselkhoznadzor said that the ban applies to imports of live poultry, hatching eggs, feathers, poultry meat and all other kinds of poultry products which have not undergone heat-treatment at temperatures of 70˚C. The import of feed and feed additives for poultry are also forbidden, as is the import of used and second-hand equipment for keeping, slaughtering and butchery poultry.
“This restriction has been introduced in connection with a massive outbreak of avian influenza in Mexico caused by the highly pathogenic H7N3 strain of avian influenza,” said the statement.
“According to our data, out of a total of 16.5 million head of poultry in Mexico, 3.4 million head have been infected by the outbreak and 2.5 million have already been culled.
“This measurement is regulated at the level of the Customs Union and the ban comes into force in the territories of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan simultaneously, according to existing trade agreements between our countries.”
The ban has been imposed for an indefinite period.
