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SAG clarifies the situation regarding poultry product exports to the People's Republic of China following an outbreak of avian influenza at a commercial farm
Sent by Communications on Thu, 23/04/2026 - 17:47
Regarding press reports indicating that the Chinese health authority has rejected the entry of Chilean poultry products into that country due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial farms, the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) clarifies the following:
1. On March 24, after confirming an outbreak at a commercial egg-laying farm in the Metropolitan Region, Chile immediately suspended, in accordance with existing trade agreements, the certification of exports of these products to international markets, including China. This decision aimed to temporarily halt trade to determine the extent of the outbreak and establish a sanitary control zone, allowing for the activation of existing zoning protocols with third countries. All of this was done in accordance with Chile's commitment to transparency in international animal health forums and the strict compliance that characterizes the actions of the Chilean Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG).
2. On March 25, Chile notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of this event through the WAHIS system, using the immediate notification procedure, in accordance with international standards. This notification aligns with the provisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, to which both Chile and China are parties.
3. Furthermore, on March 26, SAG officially informed the authorities of the People's Republic of China, in detail, of the sanitary measures adopted by Chile and the preventive decision to temporarily self-suspend exports of poultry products.
It is important to note that this self-suspension is part of Chile's protocol for the detection of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial farms, and does not constitute a sanction or punishment imposed by third countries, but rather a process that guarantees transparency in international trade while notification is being made to the World Food Programme (WFP), followed by the issuance of official communications to SAG's counterparts.
4. Finally, on March 27, the People's Republic of China suspended the import of poultry meat from our country, but allowed the entry of all products that were in transit up to that date. This was in accordance with the bilateral protocol currently in force between both countries.
In this context, it is important to clarify that, to date, neither the Chilean Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) nor the Chilean agricultural attaché's office has received official notifications from the Chinese government regarding the destruction of Chilean poultry products, given that the mutually agreed-upon protocols for this purpose have been strictly followed.
Trade recovery
It is worth noting that, in less than a week since the detection of the outbreak in the Metropolitan Region, Chile was able to resume poultry exports to its main destinations (the United States,
Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the United Kingdom) thanks to previously established zoning agreements. This outcome reflects the confidence of trading partners in the country's response and the strength of its animal health system, supported by coordinated efforts between the public and private sectors, which reaffirms the global recognition of Chile's animal health standards.
The SAG continues to deploy all its technical capabilities to advance the control and surveillance of this virus, with the goal of progressively regaining the country's health status and consolidating the full reopening with trading partners. Likewise, poultry owners are urged to reinforce biosecurity measures to prevent new infections.
Category
Avian Influenza (AI)
News Date
Thursday, April 23, 2026 - 12:00
https://www.sag.gob.cl/noticias/sag...brote-de-influenza-aviar-en-plantel-comercial