Thailand Suspends Avian Product Imports Amid Avian Influenza Outbreaks

Thailand has imposed temporary suspensions on the importation or transit of live poultry and poultry carcasses from Hungary, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom to prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza under regulations.

Current Status of Thailand’s Temporary Suspensions on Poultry Imports Due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Thailand has lifted temporary suspensions on the importation or transit of live poultry and poultry carcasses from Hungary, Spain, and Belgium, while maintaining partial restrictions on imports from the United Kingdom based on regional risk assessments. The measures are enforced under the Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015) by the Department of Livestock Development (DLD).

Regulation Analysis

1. Lifted Suspensions (Hungary, Spain, Belgium)

Thailand has fully revoked temporary suspensions on imports from the following countries, with no current restrictions in place:

Note: Importers must still comply with general sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements under Thai law, including certification and inspection protocols. For details, consult the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS)^{3, 1, 2}.

2. Partial Restrictions (United Kingdom)

Thailand maintains temporary suspensions on live poultry and poultry carcasses from specific regions of the UK due to ongoing HPAI outbreaks. However, imports may be permitted under strict conditions:

| DLD Order (UK)⁴ | – Imports allowed only if:

1. The shipment originates from areas deemed HPAI-free after a DLD risk assessment⁴.
2. The Director-General of the DLD grants prior written permission⁴.
3. All DLD-prescribed measures (e.g., quarantine, testing) are complied with⁴. | Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire⁴ | DLD⁴ |

Process for UK Imports:

1. Risk Assessment: The DLD evaluates the HPAI status of the UK region of origin⁴.
2. Application: Importers must submit documentation to the DLD for approval⁴.
3. Compliance: Approved shipments must adhere to DLD-sanctioned biosecurity protocols (e.g., pre-export testing, certification)⁴.

3. Legal Basis and Enforcement

• Primary Law: Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015)^{3, 1, 2, 4}.
  • Grants the DLD authority to impose or lift import suspensions to prevent epidemic diseases^{3, 1, 2, 4}.
• Enforcement:
  • Violations may result in seizure, destruction, or re-exportation of non-compliant shipments⁴.
  • Penalties under the Act include fines and imprisonment (specific amounts not detailed in sources).

4. Contact Points for Compliance

For inquiries or submissions (e.g., risk assessments, import applications), contact:

• National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS)
  • Address: 50 Phaholyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand^{3, 1, 2, 4}.
  • Tel: +(662) 561 4204 | Fax: +(662) 561 4034^{3, 1, 2, 4}.
  • Email: spsthailand@acfs.go.th / spsthailand@gmail.com^{3, 1, 2, 4}.
  • Websites:³(http://www.acfs.go.th) |³(http://www.spsthailand.acfs.go.th/)^{3, 1, 2, 4}.

Summary Answer

As of July 2026, Thailand has lifted temporary suspensions on live poultry and poultry carcasses from Hungary, Spain, and Belgium^{3, 1, 2}, with no current restrictions. However, imports from the United Kingdom remain partially suspended, limited to HPAI-free regions (e.g., outside Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire) and subject to DLD approval⁴. All measures are enforced under the Animal Epidemics Act B.E. 2558 (2015)^{3, 1, 2, 4}. Importers must consult the DLD or ACFS for updated risk assessments and compliance procedures^{3, 1, 2, 4}.

Sources

1. ↩ The DLD order on temporary suspension of the importation or transit of live poultry and poultry carcasses from Hungary to prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTHA803A2.docx
2. ↩ The DLD order on temporary suspension of the importation or transit of live poultry and poultry carcasses from Spain to prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTHA797A2.docx
3. ↩ The DLD order on temporary suspension of the importation or transit of live poultry and poultry carcasses from Belgium to prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTHA801A2.docx
4. ↩ The DLD order on temporary suspension of importation or transit of live poultry and poultry carcasses from the United Kingdom to prevent the spread of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NTHA778A8.docx