# 2026-19532: USDA Speeds Up Bird Imports Post-Flu, Slashes Wait to 28 Days 2026-19532, Amendments To Import Requirements for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Agriculture Department, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service published 2026-09-24, effective We will consider all comments that we receive on or before November 23, 2026.; deemed significant under Executive Order 12866; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19532 - As of: 2026-10-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-19532 - Title: Amendments To Import Requirements for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Agriculture Department; Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Citation: 91 FR 60521 - Published: 2026-09-24 - Effective: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before November 23, 2026. - Comments close: 2026-11-23 - Significant: yes (FR_METADATA) - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 0579-AE77 - Last updated: 2026-10-01 ## In one line USDA Speeds Up Bird Imports Post-Flu, Slashes Wait to 28 Days ## Summary The USDA is proposing to shorten the waiting time for importing live birds and bird products from 90 days to 28 days after a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak. This change helps foreign exporters get back to business faster while keeping the U.S. safe from bird flu. If you’re involved in bird imports, get ready to comment by November 23, 2026, and watch for updates that could speed up trade without extra costs. ## Abstract Current APHIS regulations specify that live birds and other avian commodities may not be exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or sourced from premises quarantined for HPAI within the 90 days immediately preceding export to the United States. We are proposing to reduce this timeframe to 28 days preceding export to the United States. This action is necessary to align APHIS regulations with international standards regarding HPAI transmission. This action would allow foreign regions to resume the export of live birds and other avian commodities to the United States sooner following an outbreak of HPAI, while still providing adequate safeguards that the importation of the birds or other avian commodities does not present a risk of disseminating HPAI within the United States. ## Effects PRIA read - Shorter HPAI Waiting Period for Imports: benefit, medium. USDA/APHIS proposes to cut the waiting time for importing live birds and avian products after a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) event from 90 days to 28 days. This change would apply throughout 9 CFR parts 93 and 94 and aligns U.S. rules with the World Organization for Animal Health guidan… - Updated Import Certificate Timeframes: benefit, low. APHIS proposes to change certificate and certification language so that birds or avian products must not have been exposed to HPAI within 28 days prior to export, while other communicable poultry diseases remain on 90-day timeframes. These changes appear across Secs. 93.101, 93.104, 93.201, 93.205,… - Estimated Annual Egg Import Benefits: benefit, medium. APHIS estimates that more timely access to imported eggs from the European Poultry Trading Region could produce benefits of $1.1 million to $4.4 million annually. The U.S. poultry sector is noted as valued at $81.7 billion in 2025. - Effects on Small Poultry Businesses: benefit, medium. APHIS states that the majority of affected businesses—poultry producers, hatcheries, processors, and wholesalers—qualify as small entities and that the rule is expected to provide net benefits through improved market access and reduced trade disruption. APHIS also says it has no reason to conclude… - Possibility of Sooner Increased Competition: cost, low. APHIS notes that, in some instances, businesses may face additional competition sooner than they would under the current 90-day restriction because imports could resume earlier under the 28-day rule. ## Related documents - [2025-04813](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-04813): Horse Protection Amendments; Further Delay of Effective Date, and Request for Comment, 2025-03-21 - [2025-01836](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-01836): Horse Protection Amendments; Postponement of Regulations, 2025-01-28 - [2026-20631](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20631): Notice of Decision To Deregulate Chrysanthemum White Rust and the Importation of Chrysanthemum spp. Cuttings, and In Vitro Plantlets, and S…, 2026-10-08 - [2026-20630](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20630): Cut Flowers Regulations; Removal of Chrysanthemum White Rust-Related Provisions, 2026-10-08 - [2026-19237](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19237): Bayer U.S.-Crop Science: Availability of a Petition for a Determination of Nonregulated Status and Draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment for Her…, 2026-09-21 - [2026-18858](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18858): Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Field Release of Aceria salsolae (A…, 2026-09-15 ## Sources - [2026-19532 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/24/2026-19532/amendments-to-import-requirements-for-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza) - [2026-19532 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-24/pdf/2026-19532.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-19500, Public Water System Supervision Program Revision for the State of Arkansas](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19500) - [Next: 2026-19535, Request for Information; Medicare Part D Reasonable and Relevant Pharmacy Contr…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19535) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19532 (as of 2026-10-01).