HPAI: EU reauthorises imports of poultry, germinal products, and game birds from Brazil
- Animal health
- Third country lists
- Animal health controls
Summary
Following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in May 2025, Brazil has been unable to export poultry meat because Brazilian authorities were unable to sign animal health certificates establishing freedom from HPAI.
As the Brazilian authorities have demonstrated to the European Commission that they have taken measures to successfully mitigate the HPAI outbreak, the EU is gradually allowing the reauthorisation of exports.
HPAI: EU allows gradual reauthorisation of imports of poultry; germinal products of poultry; and fresh poultry and game bird meat
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1923 of 19 September 2025 amending Annexes V and XIV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 as regards the entries for Brazil in the lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of poultry and germinal products of poultry and of fresh meat of poultry and game birds
Update
Following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in May 2025, Brazil has been unable to export poultry meat because Brazilian authorities were unable to sign animal health certificates establishing freedom from HPAI.
As the Brazilian authorities have demonstrated to the European Commission that they have taken measures to successfully mitigate the HPAI outbreak, the EU is gradually allowing the reauthorisation of exports.
Impacted Products
Poultry; germinal products of poultry; and fresh poultry and game bird meat
What is changing?
The EU is reauthorising the export of consignments of poultry; germinal products of poultry; and fresh poultry and game bird meat from Brazil to the EU in the following steps.
Imports are authorised:
- from 18 September 2025, from all permitted zones (listed in Regulation 2021/404 Annex V, Part 1, Section B; Annex XIV, Part 1, Section B) except the state of Rio Grande do Sul
- from 2 October 2025, from all listed zones including Rio Grande do Sul but excluding the area within a 10 km radius around the establishment where the outbreak occurred
- from 16 October 2025, from all listed zones including the area within a 10 km radius around the establishment where the outbreak occurred.
Why?
Following the notification of an outbreak of HPAI in poultry in May 2025 in an establishment in Rio Grande do Sul, the Brazilian authorities were unable to sign animal health certificates demonstrating freedom from HPAI (as required under Regulation 2020/692, Art. 38) (European Commission 2025).
Subsequent information submitted by Brazil demonstrates that measures taken by the authorities have mitigated the HPAI outbreak, allowing exports to resume progressively, zone by zone.
Timeline
Exports of poultry; germinal products of poultry; and fresh poultry and game bird meat from Brazil to the EU can resume from all listed zones from 16 October 2025.
Background
The EU Animal Health Law (Regulation 2016/429) establishes principles and rules for the prevention and control of certain diseases in animals kept by humans (including farm animals, fish, and aquaculture), wild animals, and animal products.
Delegated Regulation 2020/692 supplements Regulation 2016/429 regarding animal health requirements for exports to the EU. Non-EU countries (or part of their territories) wishing to export animal products to the EU must comply with the EU animal health requirements.
These countries or regions must be listed in Regulation 2021/404 for each commodity to be exported to the EU. The list is regularly updated, for example in the event of an outbreak of a notifiable disease, or if there is an improvement in the animal health situation in a country (see Third country lists for animal health – explained).
Resources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 laying down the lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof from which the entry into the Union of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin is permitted
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 as regards rules for entry into the Union, and the movement and handling after entry of consignments of certain animals, germinal products and products of animal origin
European Commission (2025) Summary Report, Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed Section Controls and Import Conditions 21 May 2025
Online resources from the European Commission:
World Organisation for Animal Health: Terrestrial Animal Health Code
The procedure for non-EU countries to apply for listing is described at the end of the following factsheets:
Sources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1923 as regards the entries for Brazil in the lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of poultry and germinal products of poultry and of fresh meat of poultry and game birds
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HPAI: EU allows gradual reauthorisation of imports of poultry; germinal products of poultry; and fresh poultry and game bird meat
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1923 as regards the entries for Brazil in the lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of poultry and germinal products of poultry and of fresh meat of poultry and game birds
What is changing and why?
Following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in May 2025 in an establishment located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil has not been able to export poultry; germinal products of poultry; and fresh poultry and game bird meat because the Brazilian authorities have not been able to provide certificates guaranteeing consignments are free from HPAI.
This Regulation allows the gradual reauthorisation of exports.
Timeline
The export of poultry; germinal products of poultry; and fresh poultry and game bird meat from Brazil to the EU is permitted as follows:
- from 18 September 2025 when originating from regions outside the state of Rio Grande do Sul
- from 2 October 2025 also when originating from Rio Grande do Sul, but excluding a zone of 10 km radius around the establishment where the outbreak occurred
- from 16 October 2025 when originating from all zones including the 10 km protection zone around the outbreak establishment.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.