The United Kingdom has suspended imports of specific poultry commodities from Argentina following the confirmation of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak.
Argentine authorities notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of an HPAI case confirmed on 23 February 2026 at a commercial poultry farm in the province of Buenos Aires. In response, the UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance amended its third-country listings on 25 February 2026.
Imports into the UK are suspended for fresh meat of poultry, farmed ratites and wild game birds produced on or after 23 February 2026. Fresh products produced before that date remain permitted.
The UK has also suspended imports of meat products derived from poultry, farmed ratites and wild game birds that have not been subject to at least heat treatment ‘D’. Treatment ‘D’ requires that products are subjected to a minimum temperature of 70°C, which must be reached throughout the meat during processing.
As there is currently no regionalisation agreement between the UK and Argentina for HPAI, the whole territory of Argentina is no longer considered free from the disease.
No closing dates have been applied to eggs, egg products and specified pathogen-free (SPF) eggs, as the relevant certificates already include assurances addressing the risk of HPAI introduction.
