Export Norms for Poultry Meat Amended: Commerce Ministry Updates Quality Control and Inspection Rules

The Central Government has notified amendments under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963, vide notification no. S.O. 3226(E) dated 15th July 2025.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has revised the current Export Quality Control Order, dated December 30, 2002, in accordance with its authority under Section 6 of the Act and after consulting with the Export Inspection Council.

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Two new provisions have been added to the amended order to shore up the rules governing the production and processing of poultry.

Firstly, the use of any antimicrobial medicinal product for promoting growth or increasing yield in the rearing of poultry birds has been expressly prohibited, aiming to curb indiscriminate use of growth-promoting substances.

Secondly, a comprehensive ban has been imposed on the use of specified classes of antimicrobials including a wide range of antibiotics such as carbapenems, cephalosporins combined with beta-lactamase inhibitors, glycopeptides, lipopeptides, and newer generation drugs like plazomicin and oxazolidinones for treatment in poultry farms or at any stage of production and processing of poultry meat and its products.

Antiprotozoals like nitazoxanide and several antivirals including oseltamivir, favipiravir, and zanamivir are also prohibited. These steps are expected to address globally concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) associated with overuse of antibiotics in animal husbandry, promote safe food practices, and bring the nation's chicken export requirements into line with international standards.

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