Ukraine has introduced a total ban on the import of poultry from Poland after Newcastle disease was detected in Polish chickens for the first time in 50 years.
The dangerous bird disease is causing legitimate concerns among Polish poultry producers, and although the disease was only identified in the northeastern Podlaskie region, there has been a negative impact on the entire Polish market, especially on exports to neighboring countries.
Ukraine’s ban will have a devastating effect on the country’s poultry market. Kyiv is a very important market for Poland, with Ukraine importing tens of millions of chickens from Poland every year.
As the outbreak was detected locally, the embargo should only cover one region, but this did not happen. “According to all the procedures agreed upon by Poland and Ukraine, the ban on the import of poultry and poultry products should only cover one Polish region, but the Ukrainians have blocked the whole of Poland,” said Katarzyna Gawrońska, director of the National Chamber of Poultry and Feed Producers.
The Chief Veterinary Inspectorate has already held preliminary talks with Ukrainian officials, and a date for a virtual inspection is expected to be agreed upon. Ukraine’s decision on a possible lifting of the ban depends on the outcome of this online audit of Poland’s disease control system.
Regulations imposed by local authorities have seen several villages in the Podlaskie region subjected to restrictions pertaining to an infected and endangered area due to the identification of the infectious disease outbreak.
Poultry producers in this area must now mark their farms with special tape and signs, isolate their breeding stock, and introduce additional security measures. Markets are banned from selling poultry meat, game meat, and eggs for eating or hatching.
