There has been an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza in the Netherlands. The OIE sent out an immediate notification on the 13^th of March 2015 notifying members of an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI Serotype H7N7) in Gerlderland , Barneveld in the Netherlands. The report date of the event was the 13^th of March although the event start date was the 11^th and the pre-confirmation date was the 12^th. Since the 12^th there has been a restriction zone of 1km and all 17 premises in the zone are screened.

Current status of poultry imports from the Netherlands

There was an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Netherlands towards the end of 2014. The 2014 HPAI start date was the 14^th of November. Currently no new veterinary import permits for poultry from the Netherlands are being issued and no poultry produced on or after 24^th October 2014 is allowed into South Africa at this stage. The current trade restrictions apply to the following commodities from the Netherlands:

1. Live Poultry, pigeons and other birds
2. Eggs (excluding SPF eggs)
3. Fresh (including frozen) poultry meat
4. Other poultry products not subject to a process to ensure the satisfactory inactivation of the avian influenza virus (must be proven scientifically).

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures such as the trade restrictions on the importation of poultry from the Netherlands are allowed if scientifically justifiable and intended to protect animal or plant life or health within South Africa  from risks arising from the entry, establishment or spread of pests, diseases, disease-carrying organisms or disease-causing organisms.