02 June 2026: Lifting of HPAI-related restrictions from Australia
Updated 5 June 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-veterinary-surgeon-ovs-notes/02-june-2026-lifting-of-hpai-related-restrictions-from-australia
OVS note number: 2026/28
Date: 02 June 2026
Purpose
To inform you that, following assessment of the disease control measures implemented by Australia in response to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the
temporary suspension on imports of the following commodities from Australia have been lifted, with an opening date of 9 May 2026:
- ratite meat (RAT)
- poultry meat (POU)
- hatching eggs of ratites (HER)
- day-old ratites (DOR)
- breeding and productive ratites (BPR)
- breeding and productive poultry (BPP)
- day-old chicks (DOC)
- hatching eggs of poultry (HEP)
- slaughter poultry and poultry for restocking game supplies (SRP)
- single consignments of less than 20 units of poultry other than ratites, hatching eggs and day-old chicks thereof (LT20)
Background
Australia notified WOAH of an outbreak of HPAI, which was confirmed on 22 May 2024 on a commercial poultry farm in Victoria, Australia: WAHIS. As a result, Australia lost their HPAI-free status.
To mitigate against the risk of HPAI, the UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance amended its
approved country listings on 5 June 2024 to suspend imports of HPAI-susceptible
commodities from Australia (see OVS note 2024/19).
Defra has now reviewed the measures implemented by Australia in response to the
outbreak and concluded that the HPAI-related import restrictions from Australia can be
lifted from 9 May 2026.
The UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance amended its poultry and poultry products list on 2 June 2026 to insert an opening date of 9 May 2026 in Australia’s entries for:
- ratite meat (RAT)
- poultry meat (POU)
- hatching eggs of ratites (HER)
- day-old ratites (DOR)
- breeding and productive ratites (BPR)
- breeding and productive poultry (BPP)
- day-old chicks (DOC)
- hatching eggs of poultry (HEP)
- slaughter poultry and poultry for restocking game supplies (SRP)
- single consignments of less than 20 units of poultry other than ratites, hatching
eggs and day-old chicks thereof (LT20)
As a result, the suspension of imports of fresh ratite meat (RAT) produced on or after 9
May 2026, and live ratites (HER, DOR, BPR) and single consignments of less than 20
units of poultry other than ratites, hatching eggs and day-old chicks thereof (LT20) certified on or after 9 May 2026 has been lifted.
Australia is listed for poultry meat (POU) and poultry meat products, eggs (E) and egg
products (EP). However, Australia does not have the necessary approved residue control plans to permit export of these commodities to GB.
Australia is also listed for live poultry (DOC, BPP and SRP) and poultry hatching eggs
(HEP). However, Australia does not have an approved Salmonella Control Plan to permit export of these commodities from chickens (Gallus gallus) or turkeys to GB.
Contact point for enquiries
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Imports and EU Trade Team