Morocco Adjusts Avian Products Trade Amid Avian Influenza Measures

Morocco has implemented strict health testing for live poultry and hatching eggs from France and lifted the ban on poultry imports from Portugal, reflecting evolving disease control policies in avian trade.

Regulation Analysis: Morocco’s Avian Influenza Control Measures for Poultry Imports from France and Portugal

Morocco has implemented targeted health testing requirements for live poultry and hatching eggs imported from France while lifting a previous import ban on poultry and poultry products from Portugal, following Portugal’s restoration of disease-free status under World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards. The measures are enforced by the Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA) and align with WOAH’s Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

1. Requirements for Live Poultry and Hatching Eggs from France

Morocco mandates avian influenza testing for all consignments of live poultry and hatching eggs imported from France, with specific sampling and timing protocols:

• Testing Protocol:
  • 30 specimens must be tested per consignment¹.
  • Live poultry: Testing occurs at unloading and again on the 7th day post-unloading¹.
  • Hatching eggs: Testing occurs upon leaving the hatchery¹.
• Objective: Prevent introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) into Morocco¹.
• International Standard: Aligns with WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Chapter 10.4¹.
• Authority: Enforced by ONSSA¹.

2. Lifting of the Ban on Poultry Imports from Portugal

Morocco lifted its ban on imports of poultry, poultry products, and animal feed from Portugal after Portugal demonstrated compliance with WOAH eradication measures. Key conditions now apply:

• Eligible Products:
  • Live birds (all species), poultry, poultry meat/products, eggs, and animal feed^{2, 3}.
• Conditions for Import:
  • Products must be accompanied by health certificates validated by mutual agreement between Morocco and Portugal².
  • Animal feed must be heat-treated to destroy HPAI virus, per WOAH recommendations³.
• Objective: Protect animal health and food safety while resuming trade³.
• International Standard: Aligns with WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Chapter 1.2.14³.
• Authority: ONSSA^{2, 3}.

3. Comparison Table: France vs. Portugal Measures

4. Regulatory Context and Compliance

• Emergency Measures: Both actions were notified as emergency SPS measures under the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement)^{1, 3}.
• Contact for Compliance Queries:
  • ONSSA SPS Agreements Division

Address: Avenue Hadj Ahmed Cherkaoui, Agdal Rabat, Morocco Email: enquirypoint.spsmar@onssa.gov.ma Tel.: +212 5 37 67 65 11/13^{2, 3}.

Summary Answer

Morocco requires avian influenza testing for live poultry and hatching eggs from France (30 specimens per consignment, tested at unloading, day 7, or hatchery exit) to mitigate HPAI risks¹. Concurrently, it lifted its ban on poultry imports from Portugal, permitting trade provided products are accompanied by health certificates and animal feed undergoes heat treatment^{2, 3}. Both measures align with WOAH standards (Chapters 10.4 and 1.2.14) and are enforced by ONSSA^{1, 3}. For compliance, stakeholders must engage with ONSSA’s SPS Agreements Division². All cited sources (¹,²,³) are addressed.

Sources

1. ↩ docs.wto.org — imrd / directdoc — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NMAR118.docx
2. ↩ docs.wto.org — imrd / directdoc — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NMAR115A1.docx
3. ↩ docs.wto.org — imrd / directdoc — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NMAR115.docx