HPAI: Removal of restrictions on imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Animal diseases
- Animal health
- Third country lists
- Animal health controls
- Official controls
Summary
The European Union (EU) has lifted its import restrictions on fresh and processed poultry meat from Bosnia and Herzegovina related to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The restrictions were introduced in February 2026. Bosnia and Herzegovina has now demonstrated that these products no longer represent a threat to animal health in the EU.
EU lifts restrictions on imports of fresh and processed poultry products from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1220 of 9 June 2026 amending Annexes XIV and XV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 as regards the entries for 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 meat products from poultry
Update
The European Union (EU) has lifted its import restrictions on fresh and processed poultry meat from Bosnia and Herzegovina related to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The restrictions were introduced in February 2026. Bosnia and Herzegovina has now demonstrated that these products no longer represent a threat to animal health in the EU.
Impacted Products
Beef, lamb, sheep, goat meat; poultry meat; eggs
What is changing?
Due to an outbreak of HPAI, restrictions on imported products from Bosnia and Herzegovina were introduced in February 2026 (see HPAI: EU restrictions on imports of poultry from Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina).
This Regulation lifts those restrictions.
From 30 June 2026, Bosnia and Herzegovina can export:
- fresh meat from poultry, and
- processed poultry products without risk-mitigating treatment.
Why?
On 6 April 2026, Bosnia and Herzegovina provided the EU with information demonstrating the implementation of its policy limiting the spread of the disease, and stamping it out in affected establishments. The European Commission has concluded that the country can be relisted for the products concerned as they do not represent a risk to animal health.
Timeline
Exports of poultry products from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU can recommence from 30 June 2026.
Recommended Actions
Monitoring and preventing the spread of diseases is key for exports. Exporters should follow the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), which gives the rules on prevention, monitoring, and control for each disease. It is important that competent authorities and operators work together to monitor animal health and keep diseases under control. The EU regularly audits its partner countries as well as the EU Member States, and publishes Health and Food Audits and Analysis – for more information, see 2026 food audit programme: non-EU countries targeted for controls.
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 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
Online resources from the European Commission:
- EU entry conditions
- Non-EU countries authorised establishments
- Access2Markets: My Trade Assistant for Goods
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:
- European Union import conditions for poultry and poultry products
- EU import conditions for fresh meat and meat products
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
Sources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1220 as regards the entries for 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 meat products from poultry
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.
EU lifts restrictions on imports of fresh and processed poultry products from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1220 as regards the entries for 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 meat products from poultry
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) has lifted its restrictions on fresh and processed poultry from Bosnia and Herzegovina related to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The restrictions were put in place in February 2026 (see HPAI: EU restrictions on imports of poultry from Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Bosnia and Herzegovina can now once more export fresh poultry products to the EU, and can export processed poultry products without a requirement for the products to undergo specific treatment.
Actions
Monitoring and preventing the spread of diseases is key for exports. Exporters should follow the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), which gives the rules on prevention, monitoring, and control for each disease. It is important that competent authorities and operators work together to monitor animal health and keep diseases under control. The EU regularly audits its partner countries as well as the EU Member States, and publishes Health and Food Audits and Analysis – for more information, see 2026 food audit programme: non-EU countries targeted for controls.
Timeline
Exports of poultry products from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU can recommence from 30 June 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.