Singapore has suspended imports of poultry products from areas affected by bird flu in Hungary

On 28 December 2022, the Food Authority of Singapore (SFA) announced the imposition of temporary restrictions on the import of poultry and its products from the vicinity of the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Hungary.

Singapore will impose temporary restrictions on the import of ornamental birds, poultry and their products from the Hungarian state of Howidu-Bihor from Dec 19, 2022, due to an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the state of Howidu-Bihor. Poultry products that meet the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) avian influenza virus inactivation requirements for heat treatment will not be affected by import restrictions.

Poultry products exported from the state of Howidu-Bihor before 19 December 2022 and killed before 5 December 2022 will continue to be accepted for import.

To facilitate clearance of other poultry and poultry products, the veterinary health certificate accompanying the import of poultry and poultry products should also include the following additional evidence:

a. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and H5 and H7 low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) are notifiable diseases in exporting countries.

b. As defined by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), poultry of meat origin have not been vaccinated against the H5 and H7 subtypes of avian influenza.

c. Poultry meat and meat products that do not originate in the affected areas.

d. Poultry of meat origin were born, raised and slaughtered in Hungary, or day-old chicks legally imported from countries with equivalent poultry health status.