HPAI: EU restrictions on imports of poultry from Argentina
- Animal health
- Third country lists
Summary
The EU has lifted its restrictions on imports of Argentinian fresh meat of poultry and game birds, and poultry products. The restrictions were introduced in March 2026 following an outbreak of highly pathogenic aviation influenza (HPAI).
EU reauthorises imports of poultry from Argentina
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1813 of 27 July 2026 amending Annexes XIV and XV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 as regards the entries for Argentina in the lists of third countries, territories, or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of fresh meat of poultry and game birds and meat products from poultry
Update
The EU has lifted its restrictions on imports of Argentinian fresh meat of poultry and game birds, and poultry products. The restrictions were introduced in March 2026 following an outbreak of highly pathogenic aviation influenza (HPAI).
Impacted Products
Fresh poultry meat and game birds, and their products
What is changing?
Following an outbreak of HPAI in the Buenos Aires region of Argentina, in March 2026 Argentinian imports of fresh poultry and game bird meat to the EU were suspended (Regulation 2026/520).
In addition, poultry products could only be imported into the EU if they had undergone a stricter risk-mitigating treatment (treatment D in Annex XXVI of Regulation 2020/692).
This Regulation lifts those restrictions: Argentina can now export fresh meat of poultry and game birds to the EU, and there are no restrictions on imports of poultry products.
Why?
In May 2026, Argentina provided the European Commission with information on measures it has taken to stamp out HPAI, demonstrating improvements in the animal health situation that allow products to be safely exported to the EU.
To protect animal health in the EU, and in response to emerging animal health risks in exporting countries, the European Commission regularly updates the list of non-EU countries authorised to export animal products to the EU.
Timeline
Import restrictions are lifted from 17 August 2026.
Recommended Actions
Animal health rules must be strictly applied by non-EU countries in order to be able to export animals and animal products to the EU while avoiding the spread of diseases. It is important that competent authorities and operators work together to monitor animal health and keep diseases under control.
Exporters should follow the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), which gives rules for disease prevention, monitoring, and control.
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.
Regulation 2020/692 supplements the Animal Health Law 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 Lists of non-EU countries for public health and 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
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/520 as regards the entries for Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of fresh meat of poultry and game birds and of meat products from poultry
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) 2026/1813 as regards the entries for Argentina in the lists of third countries, territories, or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of fresh meat of poultry and game birds and meat products from poultry
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EU reauthorises imports of poultry from Argentina
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1813 as regards the entries for Argentina in the lists of third countries, territories, or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of fresh meat of poultry and game birds and meat products from poultry
What is changing and why?
Following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Buenos Aires region of Argentina, in March 2026, the EU suspended imports of fresh poultry and game bird meat to the European Union (EU). In addition, imports of Argentinian poultry products were only permitted if they had undergone a stricter risk-mitigating treatment.
This Regulation lifts those restrictions: Argentina can now export fresh meat of poultry and game birds to the EU, and there are no restrictions on imports of poultry products.
This follows measures taken by the authorities in Argentina to stamp out HPAI.
Actions
Animal health rules must be strictly applied by non-EU countries in order to be able to export animals and animal products to the EU while avoiding the spread of diseases. It is important that competent authorities and operators work together to monitor animal health and keep diseases under control.
Exporters should follow the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), which gives rules for disease prevention, monitoring, and control.
Timeline
Import restrictions are lifted from 17 August 2026.
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.