No more importation of birds from Mexico per USDA. Outbreak of HPAI cited as reason.

This will effect all game birds like dove, quail pheasant, ducks and geese.

Recently, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in Mexico. In response, the USDA placed restrictions on the importation of avian (bird and poultry) products from Mexico. The restrictions require that upon importation, avian products be accompanied by a Veterinary Services (VS) issued import permit and the product be mitigated for HPAI prior to importation. These restrictions also apply to bird trophies. Bird trophies from Mexico now require processing to inactivate the HPAI virus and be accompanied by a VS import permit. Consignment to a USDA approved establishment is not an option for regions recognized by the USDA for HPAI. However, please be advised that fully taxidermy finished (mounted) bird trophies continue to have unrestricted entry. 

 

For people traveling to the United States from Mexico who wish further clarification on what avian products can be allowed in passenger baggage, please contact the National Center for Imports and Exports at 301-851-3300, press the number five and ask to speak with a staff import veterinary officer.

 

You can also email your questions to “;askNCIEProducts@aphis.usda.gov”;

 

Let us know when it is out there.

 

Thanks

 

Christopher C. Robinson, DVM

Assistant Director

National Center for Import and Exports

4700 River Road

Riverdale, MD 20737

 

Office: 301-851-3300

Fax: 301-734-8226

 

From: Cabrera, R J - APHIS

Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 3:21 PM

To:

Cc:

Subject: FOLLOW UP: NCIE (Imports Exports - Animals/Products)

 

As promised, I’m following up, seeking information to publish in bulletins for our NCIE stakeholders which, as of July 20, number close to 7,000 as highlighted in this attachment. In total, the VS stakeholder registry has more than 10,000 stakeholders (referencing the highest subscription at 9,777 for E-Alerts and adjusting upward).

 

We will want to keep these folks engaged, if only by directing them to our Web sites. Have we posted anything recently; is there any new news?

 

Thank you.

 

RJ Cabrera

 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Writer Editor WERC

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services

4700 River Road, Unit 34, 4A-03-43

Riverdale, MD 20737

 

(301) 851-3478 VoiP

(301) 300-4958 BB

 

www.aphis.usda.gov

 

http://twitter.com/#!/USDA_APHIS

 

http://www.youtube.com/usdaaphis

 

http://blogs.usda.gov/?s=APHIS

 

 

The import requirements have changed due to the outbreak of HPAI in Mexico. The turkey cape would have to be treated by one of the following methods in Mexico to be eligible to import into the U.S. and you will need to apply for an import permit from the USDA. You will need to note on your application for an import permit which type of inactivation treatment will be completed in Mexico and the import permit will likely require that you have documentation (from Mexican officials) accompanying the shipment which certifies that the capes were given an inactivation treatment by one of the methods below.

 

The following is a list of APHIS approved exotic Newcastle disease (END) and highly pathogenic avian influenza, subtype H5N1 (HPAI, H5N1) inactivation treatments (for restricted bird material that requires treatment prior to entering the United States:( 

 

• A heat treatment at a minimum of 56 degrees C for a minimum of 3 hours; OR

 

• A heat treatment at a minimum of 60 degrees C for a minimum of 30 minutes; OR

 

• A heat treatment at a minimum of 100 degrees C for a minimum of 20 minutes; OR

 

• Affinity chromatography; OR

 

• Treatment with 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS); OR

 

• Treatment with 3% betapropriolactone/12 hours/4 degrees C/pH 7; OR

 

• Fixed in a minimum of 10% formalin; OR

 

• Immersion in a minimum of 70% alcohol; OR

 

• Immersion in phenol/chloroform mixture; OR

 

• Immersion in a minimum of 10% sodium hypochlorite (bleach); OR

 

• Treatment with proteinase K, followed by a heat treatment at 95 degrees C for 15 minutes, followed by RNase.

 

• FTA filter paper (cards)

 

• Guanidine HCl

 

• 10% ethanol

 

I hope this information suffices.

 

Best,

 

Darla J. Brown-Farnham

Veterinary Import Permit Examiner

USDA, APHIS, VS

National Center for Import and Export

Animal Products Staff

4700 River Road, Unit 40

Riverdale, MD 20737

***New (301) 851-3300; Option 5

FAX (301) 734-8226

Darla.J.Brown@aphis.usda.gov

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