The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing a major change to rules governing when foreign poultry and other avian products can resume entering the United States following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as HPAI or bird flu.
Under a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2026, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service would reduce the current waiting period from 90 days to 28 days for certain live birds and avian commodities following an HPAI outbreak. The change would apply to products including poultry meat, carcasses, parts, products and eggs covered by the regulations.
