Portugal has reportedly suspended the imports of French poultry on the back of bird flu fears.

The Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture told the AFP news agency the suspension was effective from 5 January but “could be lifted quickly based on information from France”.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

On its website, the French Ministry of Agriculture said to date 69 cases of highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza outbreaks have been detected in eight parts of the south-west of France. It has assured the disease is not transmissible to humans through the consumption of meat, eggs or foie gras.

France first confirmed the outbreak in a backyard in Dordogne at the end of November, prompting South Korea to block exports. Since then, in December, a further seven countries including Japan, Morocco, China, Thailand, Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia all followed suit.

“The speed of the implementation of management measures is a prerequisite to limit the spread and consequences of disease, especially for export,” said France’s minister of agriculture, food and forestry, Stephane Le Foll, at the time.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now