Morocco Lifts Ban on Poultry Imports from Portugal
In a significant development, Morocco's National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) has officially lifted the ban on the importation of poultry products and eggs from Portugal. This decision comes after Portugal had reported cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in September 2025, prompting Morocco to impose restrictions on all poultry imports from the European nation. According to reliable sources, ONSSA communicated this policy change to the Moroccan Poultry Sector Federation, indicating that the suspension of imports has been rescinded.
The lifting of the ban is attributed to the effective measures undertaken by Portuguese veterinary authorities to eradicate all outbreaks of avian influenza that had been reported. ONSSA's announcement aligns with the guidelines set forth by the World Organization for Animal Health, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining health standards in animal products. Following these developments, the importation of various types of birds, poultry, poultry meat, and eggs is now permitted, provided that these products are accompanied by the necessary health certificates that have been pre-approved through mutual agreement between both nations.
Previously, in September 2025, Morocco had suspended all imports of live poultry, poultry meat, and their derivatives from Portugal due to concerns over the outbreak of bird flu in a laying hen farm near Lisbon. This precautionary measure was taken to mitigate the risk of disease spread to other countries. In an official correspondence to Portuguese health authorities, ONSSA outlined the scope of the ban, which included live poultry, poultry products, and animal feed. The initial decision to halt imports was a proactive step to safeguard public health and the agricultural sector in Morocco.
This recent reversal in policy highlights the ongoing efforts between Morocco and Portugal to facilitate trade while ensuring the safety of food products. As the two countries continue to strengthen their agricultural and economic ties, the resumption of poultry imports is expected to benefit both nations, contributing to a stable supply of poultry in the Moroccan market.
As reported by hespress.com.
