21 November 2025: Lifting of HPAI-related restrictions from Argentina
Updated 25 November 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-veterinary-surgeon-ovs-notes/21-november-2025-lifting-of-hpai-related-restrictions-from-argentina
OVS note number: 2025/74
Date: 21 November 2025
Purpose
To inform you that, following assessment of the disease control measures implemented by Argentina in response to an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, the temporary suspension on imports of the following commodities from Argentina have been lifted, with an opening date of 1 October 2025:
- fresh poultry, ratite and wild game bird meat
- meat products from poultry and ratites that have not been subject to treatment ‘D’ or higher
Background
Argentina notified WOAH of a new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This was confirmed on 19 August 2025 in a commercial poultry farm in the province of Buenos Aires: WAHIS. As a result, Argentina lost its HPAI-free status.
To mitigate against the risk of HPAI, the UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance amended its approved country listings on 21 August 2025 to suspend imports of HPAI-susceptible commodities from Argentina (see OVS note 2025/58).
Defra has now reviewed the measures implemented by Argentina in response to the outbreak and concluded that the HPAI-related import restrictions from Argentina can be lifted from 1 October 2025.
The UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance amended its third country listings on 21 November 2025 to lift the suspension on imports of the following HPAI-susceptible commodities from Argentina:
- an opening date of 1 October 2025 has been inserted in the entry for Argentina covering poultry meat (POU), wild game-meat (WGM) and farmed ratites (RAT) in the poultry and poultry products list - as a result, the suspension of imports of fresh poultry meat (POU), wild game-bird meat (WGM) and farmed ratites (RAT) produced on or after 1 October 2025 has been lifted
- Argentina’s entry in the meat products list has been amended to re-stipulate that imports of meat products of poultry and farmed ratites are now permitted with no specific treatment requirement (i.e. treatment option ‘A’) - please note, meat products of poultry and ratites produced before 1 October 2025 must still undergo at least treatment ‘D’ to be eligible for export to Great Britain
Actions for OVSs
Contact point for enquiries
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Imports and EU Trade Team