Tonga has temporarily banned uncooked poultry imports from Brazil following a confirmed bird flu outbreak in the South American nation.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Forests (MAFF) announced the suspension after the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reported a highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza outbreak on a commercial poultry farm in Montenegro, Brazil, on May 17.
Brazil, the world’s largest chicken exporter, has faced multiple international trade restrictions since the outbreak, with countries like China, the European Union, and South Korea imposing full or partial bans on Brazilian poultry products.
“To protect our local livestock from this high-risk disease, the ministry decided to temporarily suspend import of poultry products from Brazil,” MAFF stated in its emergency announcement.
The suspension applies to all uncooked poultry products, including turkey and duck. Cooked poultry products remain permitted.
MAFF has previously imposed similar restrictions on poultry imports from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand due to bird flu concerns.
The ministry urges importers and the public to comply with the new regulations to safeguard Tonga’s avian health and food security. For further information, contact MAFF at 24922.
