PNG Suspends Imports Of Australian Poultry Following Deadly Bird Flu Detection

MELBOURNE, June 24 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Papua New Guinea (PNG) has suspended imports of Australian poultry and eggs after two cases of the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza were detected in Western Australia (WA), reported Xinhua.

Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) said in a notice on Tuesday that PNG's National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority imposed an import suspension on all poultry meat and poultry products, including eggs, effective from Monday.

The DAFF said that Australia remains free from the H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza in poultry in accordance with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) international standards.

Julie Collins, Australia's Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Wednesday that the federal government is directly engaging with PNG to lift the trade restrictions.

"We continue to closely monitor the detection of H5 bird flu in wildlife and are actively working to provide necessary assurances to trading partners more broadly," she said.

Ingham's, Australia's largest poultry producer, on Monday announced it would implement a complete lockdown of its entire operations in WA to mitigate potential risks posed by avian influenza.

The value of Australia's chicken meat exports hit a record high of A$133 million (about US$91.9 million) in 2023-24, including A$60 million in exports to PNG. 

--BERNAMA-XINHUA