France, U.S., and Canada Lift Bans on Select French Poultry Imports

The United States and Canada have lifted bans on select French poultry imports, which had been in place since France implemented a duck vaccination program to combat bird flu in October 2023, according to the French agriculture ministry.

Bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), is a severe viral disease that has caused significant damage to poultry populations globally, including in France and the U.S. Recent cases have shown potential transmission beyond birds, involving dairy cows and farm workers in the United States.

To curb the spread of the disease, France became the first major exporting nation to introduce a nationwide duck vaccination program against bird flu. However, some countries expressed concerns about vaccinated birds potentially masking infections, as they might not display visible symptoms, making it difficult to detect the virus in flocks.

After prolonged negotiations, French officials convinced U.S. and Canadian authorities of the safety and efficacy of the HPAI vaccination, the ministry announced. Both countries have now lifted restrictions on poultry and related products from unvaccinated flocks, while ensuring safe agricultural trade practices remain in place.

Additionally, the U.S. ended its embargo on duck and duck product imports from other European Union countries, as noted by the French agriculture ministry. Efforts are ongoing between French health authorities and their U.S. and Canadian counterparts to finalize the resumption of avian genetics exports, such as hatching eggs and day-old chicks, to these markets.

Although French poultry exports to North America are relatively small, the trade of avian genetics remains a significant aspect of these partnerships.