CDC Extends Temporary Bird Flu Import Ban to Certain Birds/Bird Products from Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Egypt, India, Myanmar, Niger, and Nigeria
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued notices which, effective on various dates, add Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Egypt, India, Myanmar, Niger, and Nigeria to the list of countries from which the importation of certain birds and bird products are temporarily banned in order to protect poultry and humans in the U.S. from the possible spread of avian influenza (Influenza A, H5N1).
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In addition to the eight newly added countries, this temporary ban continues to apply to the following countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, the People's Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong), Romania, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
All CDC-Listed Countries Also Subject to APHIS' Bird Flu Regulations
CDC and sources at the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) indicate that all CDC-listed countries are also subject to APHIS' avian influenza-related regulations, aspects of which are highlighted below (partial list):
Unprocessed carcasses/carcass products. Unprocessed carcasses, and parts or products of unprocessed carcasses of poultry, game birds, or other birds may be imported from a region where avian flu exists only if they are imported for scientific, education, or research purposes and certain determinations and permits have been obtained, etc.
Products/byproducts (including feathers). Products or byproducts, including feathers, birds' nests, and bird trophies may be imported from regions listed in 9 CFR 94.6(d) only if certain APHIS determinations have been made and are accompanied by specified permits, etc.
(In February 2004, the U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) reported that finished products such as down comforters, down pillows, and down-filled coats do not require a USDA permit or any certification. However, such articles may be subject to inspection when presented for entry. See ITT's Online Archives or 08/04/04 news, (Ref:04080499) 3, for BP summary of the USA-ITA memo.)
Pet birds, performing & theatrical birds and poultry of U.S. origin. Certain pet birds, performing and theatrical birds/poultry of U.S. origin returning from regions where avian flu exists will be required to undergo quarantine at a USDA facility. This finalized interim rule also contains certain permit and entry requirements for such birds/poultry.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/10/04 news, 04021020, for BP summary of the USDA/HHS (CDC) press release on the CDC February 4, 2004 order implementing the temporary bird flu import ban. See ITT's Online Archives or 05/14/04 news, (Ref:04051430), for BP summary of APHIS' May 2004 interim rule implementing its bird flu regulations. See ITT's Online Archives or 07/05/05 news, (Ref:05070599) 4, for BP summary of a technical amendment to this interim rule regarding "unprocessed" carcasses. See ITT's Online Archives or 07/29/05 news, (Ref:05072999) 8, for BP summary of APHIS decision to finalize this interim rule without change. See ITT's Online Archives or 02/14/06 news, 06021410, for BP summary of APHIS' interim rule extending import restrictions to Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine (note that CDC did not issue a Federal Register notice when these five countries were added to its list.))
The following table indicates the dates when the CDC and APHIS applied their import restrictions to the eight newly added countries.
| Country | Effective Date of CDC Ban | Date added to APHIS Ban |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | 03/15/06 | 03/10/06 |
| Azerbaijan | 03/15/06 | 02/24/06 |
| Cameroon | 03/15/06 | 03/12/06 |
| Egypt | 02/27/06 | 02/23/06 |
| India | 02/22/06 | 02/21/06 |
| Myanmar | 03/15/06 | 03/12/06 |
| Niger | 03/02/06 | 03/01/06 |
| Nigeria | 02/08/06 | 02/07/06 |
(Background: On February 4, 2004, the CDC issued an order immediately banning the import of all birds (Class: Aves) from specified Asian countries, subject to limited exemptions for pet birds and certain bird-derived products. Subsequently, on March 10, 2004, the CDC removed Hong Kong from the list of countries subject to this order. In addition, effective September 28, 2004, the CDC extended its February 2004 order to certain bird and bird products from Malaysia. The CDC also states that effective December 29, 2005, the order was extended to Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine; however, notice of these additions was not published in the Federal Register.)
CDC Notices:
Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, & Myanmar (FR Pub 03/22/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-2767.pdf
India (FR Pub 03/10/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-3427.pdf
Niger (FR Pub 03/10/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-3429.pdf
Egypt (FR Pub 03/10/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-3430.pdf
Nigeria (FR Pub 03/10/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-3431.pdf