Acting Gov. Joshua Tenorio has directed the Guam Department of Agriculture to immediately lift a blanket ban on importing live poultry from flocks within the United States, citing legal review findings and stakeholder feedback.
Officials on Feb. 20 said the decision follows a determination that existing laws and regulations already provide safeguards to protect public health and local agriculture without requiring a total prohibition.
“This directive is important for food security, sustainability and the economy,” Tenorio said. “This years long policy was rooted in great concern for our community, but after careful review of existing safeguards, and regulations, and following productive conversations with affected farmers and poultry breeders, I'm confident this resumption will help stabilize egg and poultry supply, support farmers, and ensure policies remain legally grounded and proportionate to current conditions.”
The order maintains current health requirements for imported birds, including certification from accredited veterinarians verifying poultry are disease-free and show no symptoms at shipment.
Guam’s territorial veterinarian previously halted live adult poultry imports because of avian influenza concerns. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined the present public health risk is low. The United States Department of Agriculture does not prohibit poultry transport within the U.S. or globally, limiting only shipments from areas with active outbreaks.
Tenorio thanked agriculture officials for their vigilance, noting that established federal and local safety protocols remain in place to prevent the spread of avian diseases such as bird flu.