US works to lift RP ban on poultry products

WASHINGTON – The US Department of Agriculture has announced that Japan has lifted its ban on US poultry and poultry products except those from Pennsylvania and Maine, and said it continues to work with the Philippines and other trading partners for the removal of similar export restrictions.

The Japanese ban was imposed Jan. 12 following the discovery of a low-pathogenic avian influenza virus in Pennsylvania and Maine. The US contends that the ban was unwarranted because it was not in compliance with Office of International Epizootics (OIE) standards. The OIE does not require countries to report low-pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks.

"Japan’s decision to comply with OIE standards and lift these import restrictions is a relief to US products," US Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman said.

Veneman said USDA worked with the US Trade Representative’s office, and the administration will continue to work closely with Japan’s agriculture ministry to ensure shipments are resumed and remaining restrictions on Pennsylvania and Maine poultry and poultry products are removed.

After discovering the virus, Pennsylvania and Maine immediately took aggressive measures, including depopulation of AIV-exposed birds to prevent any spread of the virus, and implemented a stringent monitoring program to continually test birds for potential disease.