The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has lifted restrictions on the importation of poultry and poultry products transiting from Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan. The restrictions were issued due to the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic birds.

APHIS placed avian commodity restrictions on these prefecture due to the diagnosis of HPAI in domestic birds. The Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries has now demonstrated complete resolution of the outbreak and met the requirements to regain the previous HPAI-free status. Therefore, APHIS has lifted the HPAI-related import restrictions on avian commodities originating from or transiting the region.