Reevaluating trade policies in response to Avian Influenza

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), particularly the H5N1 strain, has long been a driver of stringent trade restrictions in the global poultry industry.

David Corredor

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), particularly the H5N1 strain, has long been a driver of stringent trade restrictions in the global poultry industry. Historically, these measures were justified by the virus’s ability to remain viable in raw frozen meat for extended periods. However, recent scientific findings challenge the rationale behind blanket bans on poultry products, signaling an urgent need to revisit existing policies.

• Research from leading organizations such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), FAO, and CDC confirms that while HPAI can persist in raw meat, the actual risk of transmission through properly processed poultry products is virtually zero.
• Products intended for human consumption undergo ante- and post-mortem veterinary inspections, industrial processing, and cooking at temperatures above 74°C—conditions that effectively inactivate the virus.
• In contrast, the primary vectors for HPAI spread remain live birds, farm movements, and migratory wildlife, not frozen or cooked meat.

Despite this evidence, many countries continue to enforce precautionary trade bans whenever outbreaks occur, even in regions far removed from the source. These measures, often politically motivated, impose severe economic consequences.

Exporting nations lose billions in revenue, while import-dependent countries face protein shortages and rising food prices. Between 2022 and 2024 alone, outdated restrictions contributed to over $10 billion in global trade losses, exacerbating food insecurity and encouraging illegal, unregulated trade channels that pose greater sanitary risks.

• A more balanced approach is emerging through regionalization and zoning, which allow trade from unaffected areas while containing outbreaks locally.
• WOAH advocates this model, emphasizing that safe trade in inspected poultry meat should continue even during HPAI events, provided products do not originate from infected zones.
• This strategy aligns with epidemiological evidence and supports global supply chain stability.

Maintaining disproportionate barriers under the guise of the precautionary principle ignores scientific progress and perpetuates incoherence in sanitary policy. Migratory birds cross borders freely, spreading HPAI naturally, while industrially processed poultry remains an insignificant risk. Updating trade rules to reflect real, evidence-based risks is not only a technical necessity but also an ethical imperative to protect food security and economic resilience.