South Korea has lifted its ban on poultry and egg imports from the United States.
The ban had been in place since March, after highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a Tyson Foods broiler breeder flock in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Two other cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza were reported in the state later in March.
Additionally, effective August 9, a temporary duty-free Tariff Rate Quota for eggs and egg products is also now in effect for up to 28,000 metric tons across nine categories of eggs and egg products, which can now be imported under duty free through the end of 2017.
American Egg Board (AEB) President and CEO, Anne L. Alonzo, and USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) President Jim Sumner, are pleased with the opening of the South Korean market.
The two issued a joint statement on the matter: “U.S. egg farmers are at the ready to once again assist South Korean consumers and food manufacturers with a reliable and nutritious supply of U.S. eggs. We are especially grateful to the USDA for the efforts of its agencies, APHIS and FAS, for their efforts in working with the South Korean government to get this ban lifted. We are also looking forward to future efforts aimed at the implementation of regionalization by the South Korea Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA)."
