A major commercial dispute over poultry imports has emerged in Suriname, with leading importer Subisco International N.V. firmly denying allegations that it knowingly brought chicken products from a bird flu-affected zone in France in violation of national import restrictions. The company says official veterinary documentation from French authorities confirms that the disputed shipment originated from an area officially certified as free of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu.
The core of the disagreement between Subisco and Suriname’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (LVV) centers on differing interpretations of how recently implemented import restrictions apply to this specific shipment. With neither side able to reach a resolution through informal negotiations, the dispute has now been formally referred to the national courts for a binding ruling.
Subisco, which has sourced poultry products from well-known French brand DOUX for nearly 20 years, says it followed all standard protocol after LVV announced new import restrictions in February 2025, sparked by regional bird flu outbreaks. The company confirms it placed an order for fresh and frozen whole chickens in January 2025, before the restrictions were put in place, and immediately reached out to its French supplier to confirm the veterinary status of the production areas after the new policy took effect.
According to Subisco, French veterinary authorities issued official documentation clearly stating that the region from which the shipment was sourced was free of bird flu. The company adds that the specific shipment also came with a valid veterinary health certificate and an additional veterinary declaration confirming its disease-free status. Based on these official documents, Subisco maintains that the shipment does not fall within the scope of the import ban, as it did not originate from one of the supervised bird flu restriction zones covered by the new policy.
Beyond the core question of the shipment’s origin, Subisco has pushed back against public insinuations that it knowingly violated import rules to protect commercial interests. With the matter now under judicial review, the company has declined to comment on the specifics of the case or speculate on the potential outcome of the court proceedings. However, it has emphasized that it considers it critical to correct public misperceptions that it would intentionally import poultry products from a bird flu-infected region into Suriname.
The company reaffirmed that food safety and product quality for consumers on the Suriname market have always been its top priority. It says it has consistently ensured that all imported and distributed products meet all existing national food safety regulations, and that despite the ongoing legal process, it remains committed to working collaboratively with competent national authorities to reach a fair resolution that aligns with both regulatory requirements and commercial needs.
“Commercial interests can never outweigh our responsibility to guarantee the safety and quality of products for Suriname’s consumers,” a spokesperson for Subisco emphasized in a statement.