What Changed
- CFS instructed Hong Kong trade to suspend imports of poultry meat and products (including eggs) from Rogaland County, Norway, and Scottish Borders, UK, with immediate effect.
- Action was taken following World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) notifications regarding highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks.
- CFS reported official trade data for the first nine months of 2026 showing imports of 20 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Norway, and 680 tonnes of poultry meat plus 220,000 eggs from the UK.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong SAR) announced on November 5, 2026, an immediate suspension of the import of poultry meat and products, including poultry eggs, from specific regions in Norway and the United Kingdom (UK). This regulatory measure directly affects food importers, distributors, logistics providers, and food business operators in Hong Kong SAR, as well as poultry exporters based in the affected European regions.
The administrative instruction was issued following notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) concerning outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Rogaland County, Norway, and the Scottish Borders of Scotland, UK. To safeguard public health, the CFS directed the Hong Kong food trade to cease importing all poultry meat and products originating from these designated areas with immediate effect.
Providing context on existing trade flows, the CFS noted that Hong Kong SAR currently maintains a regulatory protocol with Norway for the import of poultry meat, but not for poultry eggs. Data from the Census and Statistics Department show that in the first nine months of 2026, Hong Kong SAR imported approximately 20 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Norway. During the same period, Hong Kong SAR imported about 680 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and roughly 220,000 poultry eggs from the UK.
The CFS spokesman stated that the department has contacted Norwegian and British authorities regarding the outbreaks. The CFS will continue to monitor updates from WOAH and relevant agricultural and food safety authorities, adjusting import controls as the situation develops.
Who May Be Affected
Food importers, wholesalers, distributors, and logistics providers in Hong Kong SAR, as well as poultry producers and exporters in Rogaland County (Norway) and the Scottish Borders (UK).
Cross-Border Context
Affects agricultural trade links between European exporters (Norway and the UK) and Hong Kong SAR importers, governed by WOAH animal disease notifications and bilateral import protocols.
What to check next
- Future press releases from Hong Kong SAR CFS regarding the resumption or further expansion of poultry import restrictions.
- WOAH follow-up notifications regarding H5N1 eradication efforts in Norway and the UK.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.