What Changed
- The CFS suspended poultry meat, product, and egg imports from Big Stone, Kandiyohi, Ravalli, and Barron counties in the US due to H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks.
- The CFS suspended poultry meat and product imports from the Isle of Lewis in Scotland following an H5N5 avian influenza notification from UK authorities.
- The CFS contacted US and UK health authorities and stated it will monitor WOAH updates to adjust regulatory measures as necessary.
Importers, traders, and food industry businesses in Hong Kong SAR, as well as poultry exporters in the United States and the United Kingdom, must comply with a new import restriction announced by local health authorities. On October 5, 2026, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products, including poultry eggs, from designated areas in the US and the UK with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
The regulatory action follows official notifications regarding outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Big Stone County and Kandiyohi County in the State of Minnesota, Ravalli County in the State of Montana, and Barron County in the State of Wisconsin in the US. Additionally, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the United Kingdom notified the CFS of an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N5 avian influenza in the Isle of Lewis of Scotland in the UK.
To safeguard public health, the CFS enacted the import suspension across all five affected locations. According to statistics from the Census and Statistics Department cited by the CFS spokesman, Hong Kong imported approximately 24,190 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and around 20.2 million poultry eggs from the US, as well as approximately 340 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat from the UK, during the first six months of 2026.
The CFS confirmed that it has contacted American and British authorities regarding the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and relevant foreign agencies. Further appropriate actions will be taken in response to ongoing developments. Food traders and import businesses operating in Hong Kong SAR should ensure immediate compliance with the import ban and verify supply origins for incoming shipments.
Who May Be Affected
Food traders, importers, and distributors in Hong Kong SAR, as well as poultry producers and exporters in affected counties in the US and UK.
Cross-Border Context
Affects agricultural trade flow between Hong Kong SAR, the US, and the UK, which involved thousands of tonnes of poultry meat and millions of eggs in the first half of 2026.
What to check next
- Monitor further press announcements from the Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety regarding any potential expansion or lifting of import controls.
- Track animal health reports published by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and UK/US agricultural departments.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.