The French poultry industry has been hit by export restrictions after becoming the first country to vaccinate ducks against avian influenza.
The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said it was placing restrictions on the importation of poultry from France, as well as live ducks, duck eggs, and duck products from the European Poultry Trade Region (which excludes Great Britain) as well as Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
The United States does not allow the import of poultry from countries affected with HPAI or from flocks that have been vaccinated by HPAI. Vaccination of poultry against HPAI virus may mask HPAI virus circulating in poultry. Vaccinated birds may not show signs of HPAI infection, which could lead to the export of infected live animals or virus-contaminated products to the United States.
The restrictions came into effect on 1 October.