CDC Extends Temporary Bird Flu Import Ban to Certain Birds/Bird Products from Pakistan and Burkina Faso
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued notices which add Pakistan and Burkina Faso 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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The addition of these two countries to the list of countries subject to CDC's temporary ban is effective April 10, 2006. These countries are also subject to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) avian influenza-related regulations detailed below as of April 4, 2006 (Pakistan) and April 5, 2006 (Burkina Faso).
In addition to Pakistan and Burkina Faso, this temporary ban continues to apply to the following countries:
| Nigeria |
| People's Republic of China (excl. Hong Kong) |
| Romania |
| Russia |
| South Korea |
| Thailand |
| Turkey |
| Ukraine |
| Vietnam |
All CDC-Listed Countries Also Subject to APHIS' Bird Flu Regulations
CDC and APHIS sources indicate that all CDC-listed countries are also subject to APHIS' avian influenza-related regulations, highlights of which include (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, 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, 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, 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, 05072999, 8, for BP summary of APHIS decision to finalize this interim rule without change.)
(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. In March 2006, the CDC extended the February 2004 order to Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Egypt, India, Israel, Jordan, Myanmar, Niger, and Nigeria. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/27/06, 03/31/06, 04/14/06 news, 06032710, 06033115 and 06041415, for BP summaries of the March 2006 additions to the CDC ban.)
CDC Pakistan Notice (FR Pub 04/19/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-5839.pdf
CDC Burkina Faso Notice (FR Pub 04/19/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-5841.pdf