Source: MEATINGPLACE, 8/19/17

USDA announced that the government of South Korea has lifted its ban on imports of U.S. poultry and poultry products. Korea had imposed the ban in response to a recent detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

On Aug. 11, the United States notified the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) that it is now free of HPAI. This notification removed any justification for U.S. trading partners to restrict imports of U.S. poultry due to HPAI concerns, USDA said.

Korea maintains a ban on all U.S. poultry in response to any HPAI detection, but USDA continues to work with Korean officials toward limiting any future import restrictions to the affected area, consistent with OIE guidelines, the agency said.

In 2014, the last full year without any HPAI-related trade restrictions in place, South Korea purchased $122 million in U.S. poultry products, including eggs, making it the United States’ 10th-largest market. South Korea’s imports from all sources exceeded $350 million in 2016, but only $39 million came from the United States.

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