Arkansas: a bird-flu show and fair rule is being re-checked. The agency's own pages disagree or couldn't be read, so call the Arkansas Department of Agriculture at (501) 823-1746 before moving, showing or selling birds. What we have confirmed is below.
Read from 21 official sources·54 passages quoted·Checked on October 14, 2026
What the agency's own pages and tables showed when we checked, with the line each comes from.
APHIS's detection list shows Arkansas's latest poultry case, Clay 02 (commercial broiler, confirmed April 10, 2026), with its control area released May 9, 2026; no later Arkansas detection is listed
Apr 10, 2026·Clay County·Commercial Broiler Production·191,200 birds·control area released May 9, 2026
The Department's newest bird-flu release found is dated February 12, 2026 (wild-bird warning, saying HPAI was confirmed in wild birds and backyard and commercial flocks statewide); no current affected-area notice or show or sale order was found on the Department's site
“Testing has confirmed HPAI in wild birds and in backyard and commercial flocks statewide.”
These rest on a notice that may be out of date, or that we couldn't read with our tools. We don't show them as current rules until they're confirmed; if they matter to you, ask the agency directly.
A rule or order
The official Code of Arkansas Rules still carries a 1984 avian influenza rule prohibiting all poultry exhibitions, except junior district fairs showing only Arkansas poultry, 'until the threat of avian influenza no longer exists'; the Department's current pages describe exhibition testing rules instead and do not mention it
Why: 2 CAR § 193-106 (1984 'imminent peril' rule) is in the official Code of Arkansas Rules, but the Department's current exhibition rules (2 CAR Part 194), handout and AI page do not mention it; whether it is applied is unconfirmed
Waiting on: owner confirmation from the ADA Animal Health Division ((501) 823-1746) of whether Part 193 is applied
The text in question
“All poultry exhibitions, except junior district fairs showing only Arkansas poultry, are prohibited until the threat of avian influenza no longer exists.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 193-106
“"Having found that Avian Influenza poses an imminent peril to the public welfare and safety, the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission adopts the following rule," "Issued in Little Rock, Arkansas on June 1, 1984."”
The same 1984 rule (Part 193) requires all live poultry destined for Arkansas to carry a health certificate with an Arkansas entry permit number, and poultry vehicles to carry a cleaning and disinfection certificate; this conflicts with § 195-102, which exempts poultry from entry permits
Why: 2 CAR § 193-101 (1984) requires an entry permit number for all live poultry, contrary to § 195-102 and the Department's entry page; whether it is applied is unconfirmed
Waiting on: owner confirmation from the ADA Animal Health Division ((501) 823-1746) of whether Part 193 is applied
The text in question
“(a) All live poultry destined for delivery in Arkansas must have a valid health certificate showing an Arkansas entry permit number.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 193-101(a)
“(g) Any poultry or poultry transporting vehicle not having the appropriate certificate will be barred from entering the state.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 193-101(g)
“(A)(i) This is to certify that I have examined the above described poultry and find same to be free of avian influenza, and to the best of my knowledge avian influenza (H5N2) has not been diagnosed in the area and this flock did not originate within an avian influenza quarantined area.”
“(b) A statement shall be signed by veterinarian or management that eggs are from flocks free of avian influenza (HSN2), and not from a quarantined area.”
Worked out from each notice's dates for October 15, 2026. Bird-flu orders come first, then the standing rules.
Standing ruleControl zones and quarantine
Standing rule, used when the Department implements it during an outbreak: within about 25 miles of a confirmed HPAI flock, no poultry exhibitions, no moving poultry without a recent avian influenza test, and no moving domestic waterfowl, no sales or giveaways at fairs, swap meets, auctions or flea markets, and backyard birds kept under cover
No end date in the source
Inside a control zone · an 'affected area' of about 25 miles around a flock with confirmed HPAI, when the Department implements the section · Birds: poultry and domestic waterfowl
Trigger: the section 'may be implemented' during an avian influenza outbreak that the Department determines threatens poultry production or sales
Affected area: an area the Department determines, about 25 miles around a flock with confirmed HPAI
No exhibiting poultry or domestic waterfowl within the affected area
No moving poultry or domestic waterfowl from or within the affected area
Exempt: poultry with a PCR or antigen-capture AI test within five days of the event (the rule names no such exemption for domestic waterfowl)
No selling, bartering, trading, auctioning or giving away poultry or domestic waterfowl at fairs, swap meets, auctions, flea markets and similar events within the affected area; exempt: chicks and ducklings three weeks old or younger from an NPIP-certified flock
All free-range and backyard poultry within the affected area must be confined under cover or inside structures
Outside the affected area, sales, exhibitions and giveaways at farmers markets, flea markets, roadside stands, feed stores, fairs and shows 'may be allowed' with proper biosecurity where the threat is minimal
Poultry identified or suspected of avian influenza infection are quarantined immediately
Avian influenza vaccination of any bird is prohibited unless the State Veterinarian authorizes it
Federal conditions may also apply
No affected area is known to be active today: APHIS shows the last Arkansas control area released May 9, 2026 (see Current situation), but the Department's affected area is its own determination and no list of affected areas was found
“(a) The provisions of the section may be implemented in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza which in the determination of the Department of Agriculture threatens production or sales of poultry and poultry products.”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(a)
“(1) Exhibit poultry and domestic waterfowl within the affected area;”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(b)(1)
“(B) Poultry with premovement avian influenza testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or antigen capture within five (5) days of event are exempt from subdivision (b)(2)(A) of this section;”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(b)(2)(B)
“(3)(A) Sell, barter, trade, auction, or give away, poultry or domestic waterfowl at fairs, swap meets, auctions, flea markets, and similar events and locations within an affected area.”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(b)(3)(A)
“(B) Chicks and ducklings three (3) weeks of age or less originating from a NPIP certified flock are exempt from subdivision (b)(3)(A) of this section.”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(b)(3)(B)
“(c) All free range and backyard poultry within an affected area, whether intended for commercial or noncommercial use, must be confined under cover or inside structures to prevent contamination from infected migratory birds.”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(c)
“(l) All avian influenza vaccination of any bird is prohibited, unless authorized by the State Veterinarian after consultation with the poultry industry.”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(l)
“Movement & Quarantines: Any area surrounding a confirmed case (approx. 25 mile radius) is considered affected. In affected areas:”
“(1) “Affected area” means an area determined by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture of approximately twenty-five (25) miles surrounding a flock with a confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI);”
Arkansas show poultry need pullorum-typhoid clean origin or a PT test within 90 days (no testing on the fairgrounds), documented and banded if non-certified
Sponsors notify the State Veterinarian 30 days ahead and keep a bird list for 12 months; 2 CAR § 151-103(d) also requires negative MG and MS tests within 90 days (§ 194-210 and the Department's handout list PT only)
No end date in the source
Statewide · county, junior district, district, state fair and other exhibitions · Birds: poultry, including domesticated game birds, quail, pheasants, peafowl, guineas and turkeys
Sponsor notifies the State Veterinarian at least 30 days before, with names, place, dates and times
In-state poultry: U.S. pullorum-typhoid clean or equivalent flock, or negative PT test within 90 days of moving to the exhibition; PT testing on the fairgrounds during the fair is prohibited (§ 194-210)
Documented on a VS 9-3, 90-day certificate, NPIP flock certification form or similar, kept with the birds
Non-certified birds banded with a sealed leg or wing band; wrap-around plastic bands not accepted
In-state waterfowl exempt from PT requirements
Birds showing infectious or contagious disease or insect infestation may not exhibit
Sponsor keeps a list of all poultry (owner, number, species, breed, variety, type, sex, PT status) for at least 12 months
§ 151-103(d) additionally requires negative MG and MS tests within 90 days of exhibition, documented on a VS 9-3, form 3B or similar; § 194-210 does not mention MG/MS for in-state birds
Out-of-state poultry (§ 194-110): pullorum clean or test within 90 days; turkeys MG clean or test within 30 days; CVI or NPIP form; non-certified birds banded; NPIP flocks exempt from CVI unless a state of emergency is declared
In an implemented avian influenza affected area, exhibitions are prohibited (ar-rule-ai-affected-area-1)
In-state CVI: 2 CAR § 194-201(b) requires a CVI issued within 90 days for Arkansas livestock other than sheep, goats, horses, steers and rabbits; the Department's handout exempts NPIP-certified poultry with a certificate; whether non-certified Arkansas birds need one is not stated, so confirm with the Department
“(a) An official representing the exhibition shall notify the State Veterinarian no later than thirty (30) days prior to the exhibition, giving:”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 194-210(a)
“present at exhibition in Arkansas shall have originated from United States pullorum-typhoid clean or equivalent flocks or have had a negative pullorum-typhoid test within ninety (90) days of the movement to the exhibition (pullorum-typhoid testing on fairgrounds during the fair is prohibited).”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 194-210(b)(1)(A)
“(3) Any poultry showing evidence of infectious or contagious disease or insect infestation will not be permitted to exhibit.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 194-210(b)(3)
“(C) A copy of this shall be retained by the sponsor of the exhibition for at least twelve (12) months.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 194-210(b)(4)(C)
“(ii) (a) Poultry must also have been tested negative for MG and MS within ninety (90) days of exhibition.”
“(a) All poultry, which includes game birds, quail, pheasants, peafowl, turkeys, and waterfowl shall have originated from a United States pullorum clean flock or have had a negative pullorum test within ninety (90) days of entry.”
“(b) Arkansas livestock, except for Arkansas sheep, goats, horses, steers, and rabbits, must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection issued within ninety (90) days prior to exhibition, showing the following.”
Birds at Arkansas swap meets and flea markets are tested for pullorum-typhoid, MG and MS unless papers show clean stock or a test within 90 days, with an NPIP VS 9-3
The event coordinator must provide a certified NPIP blood tester
No end date in the source
Statewide · swap meets, flea markets and exhibitions of birds · Birds: birds
Birds showing any signs of illness are quarantined back to the farm or place of origin, or as the Department directs
PT, MG and MS testing unless papers show clean stock or testing within 90 days of moving to the event; must be accompanied by NPIP form VS 9-3
The event coordinator provides a certified NPIP blood tester and, on request, records of all entries (name, address, contact, location at the event)
Reactor birds go to the state diagnostic laboratory; the farm or place of origin is quarantined when birds test positive
Table eggs offered for sale must meet USDA and Arkansas Egg Law standards
In an implemented avian influenza affected area, sales and giveaways at swap meets and flea markets are prohibited (ar-rule-ai-affected-area-1)
“(2) All birds will be tested for pullorum-typhoid (PT) and Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) unless papers accompany them showing that they came from clean stock or have been tested within ninety (90) days of the movement to the event area and must be accompanied by NPIP form Veterinary Services 9-3 (VS 9-3).”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-103(c)(2)
“(3) The event coordinator will be responsible for providing a certified NPIP blood tester for the event”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-103(c)(3)
“(1) Birds showing any signs of illness will be quarantined back to the farm, place of origin, or as directed by the Department of Agriculture.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-103(c)(1)
Standing ruleRegistration
Hatcheries register with the Department each year and are inspected
Any hatchery selling hatching eggs, and anyone selling chicks, must be NPIP approved
No end date in the source
Statewide · hatcheries; selling hatching eggs or chicks · Birds: hatcheries and anyone selling chicks
Hatchery inspections at least once a year
Annual registration with the Department
Hatcheries selling hatching eggs interstate or intrastate, or anyone selling chicks, must be NPIP-approved
“(3) All hatcheries selling hatching eggs either interstate or intrastate or anyone selling chicks must be NPIP-approved.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-103(e)(3)
“(2) Hatcheries are required to register with the Department of Agriculture annually.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-103(e)(2)
How to reportReporting sick birds
Anyone who knows a poultry flock is infected with a reportable disease, including avian influenza, must report it to the State Veterinarian immediately
No end date in the source
Statewide · Birds: poultry flocks
Reportable diseases include avian influenza, exotic diseases listed by APHIS or WOAH, velogenic Newcastle disease, pullorum-typhoid, MG, MS, ILT and others listed in § 151-102(a)
The State Veterinarian may quarantine any bird suspected of a reportable disease
Sick bird hotline: (501) 823-1746; online Sick Bird Call Form on the Department's AI page
Wild birds: report to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
“(b) Mandatory reporting. Any person having knowledge that a poultry flock is infected with a reportable disease must immediately report such information to the State Veterinarian.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-102(b)
“Backyard or commercial poultry: Report suspected or confirmed poultry illness or deaths to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s sick bird hotline at (501) 823-1746.”
Standing rule (2 CAR § 195-209): poultry, game birds and waterfowl need U.S. Pullorum-Clean origin or a pullorum test within 90 days (turkeys also MG within 30 days), on a CVI, VS 9-3 or similar; non-certified birds banded; NPIP flocks on a 9-3 need no CVI unless an emergency is declared; no birds from ILT flocks (30 days). No diseased or exposed birds, or birds from a quarantined area, without the State Veterinarian's written permission. When the avian influenza section is implemented (2 CAR § 151-104), birds also need a CVI with H5/H7 statements or an AI test within two weeks, plus an entry permit number. A 1984 rule still in the code (Part 193) also calls for entry permit numbers for live poultry; its status is unresolved. Since June 17, 2026, screwworm rules require an iCVI for warm-blooded animals from infested states (eggs, young chicks and NPIP B/C/D/J flocks exempt).
What the entry rules say
“No animal, including poultry or birds, may enter Arkansas if it shows signs of disease, has recently been exposed to disease, or comes from a quarantined area without written permission from the State Veterinarian.”
Avian influenza entry rule, part of the section the Department implements during an outbreak: birds entering Arkansas need a CVI stating no H5/H7 within 10 km and not from a quarantined area (or an AI blood test within two weeks), plus a pullorum test or NPIP status and an entry permit number
No end date in the source
Statewide · entry into Arkansas, under the avian influenza section when implemented · Birds: live poultry, hatching eggs, domestic waterfowl, psittacines, passerines and other birds; ratites
Same trigger as ar-rule-ai-affected-area-1: 'may be implemented' during an outbreak; whether it is applied now is not stated anywhere found (see the notes at the end of this page)
CVI by an accredited veterinarian stating the birds (or the hens producing the eggs) were examined and free of signs of H5 or H7 avian influenza, that H5/H7 has not been diagnosed within 10 km of the flock of origin, and that they did not come from an AI quarantined area; or a CVI certifying a negative AGID or other authorized AI serology test within two weeks before shipment
Negative pullorum test within 90 days, or from an NPIP-certified flock
Entry permit number
Day-old chicks or poults and hatching eggs may instead come on an NPIP VS 9-3 carrying the 10 km / not-quarantined statement in item 10
Ratites: CVI with entry permit number, the H5/H7 statements and a negative AGID test within two weeks
Vehicles carrying birds or eggs into the state must be cleaned and disinfected
Company-owned slaughter poultry moved by Arkansas operations are exempt under conditions
(h) Table eggs and breaker eggs need a certificate of origin from company management stating they did not come from an area with known H5 or H7 avian influenza; reusable shipping materials new or clean (egg distributors making direct sales to retail outlets are exempt from the certificate of origin and the cleaning-and-disinfection certificate, provided the eggs are in new packaging and do not originate in an area with known H5 or H7 avian influenza)
(i)(4) Anyone coming from an area known or suspected to have avian influenza must follow company or USDA biosecurity procedures
“(A) An official certificate of veterinary inspection signed by a licensed, accredited veterinarian stating that the poultry, waterfowl, psittacines, passerines, other avian species, or hens or parent stock producing the eggs have been examined and found to be free of any signs of avian influenza H5 or H7,”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(e)(1)(A)
“and to the signatory’s knowledge, avian influenza H5 or H7 has not been diagnosed within a ten-kilometer radius of the location where this flock originated and they did not originate from within an avian influenza quarantined area; or”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(e)(1)(A), continued
“(B) An official certificate of veterinary inspection signed by a licensed, accredited veterinarian certifying that a negative agar gel precipitin test or other authorized serological test for avian influenza was administered no longer than two (2) weeks prior to the time of the shipment;”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(e)(1)(B)
“(2) Have a negative pullorum test within the last ninety (90) days or be from an NPIP certified flock; and”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(e)(2)
“(3) Have an entry permit number.”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(e)(3)
“(4) Any person coming from an area known or suspected of having avian influenza must practice proper biosecurity procedures as prescribed by the company or United States Department of Agriculture.”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(i)(4)
“(3) Exempt. Egg distributors entering Arkansas are exempt from the certificate of origin and the certificate of cleaning and disinfecting provided they make direct sales to retail outlets such as stores, restaurants, etc. and eggs must be in new packaging materials and cannot originate in an area where there is any known avian influenza infection H5 or H7.”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture / Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 151-104(h)(3)
Standing ruleBringing birds in
Standing entry rule: poultry entering Arkansas need U.S. Pullorum-Clean origin or a negative pullorum test within 90 days (turkeys also MG), documented on a CVI, VS 9-3 or similar
No diseased or exposed birds or birds from a quarantined area without the State Veterinarian's written permission
No end date in the source
Statewide · entry into Arkansas · Birds: poultry, including game birds, quail, pheasants, peafowl, turkeys and waterfowl; hatching eggs
Pullorum: from a U.S. pullorum-clean flock or negative pullorum test within 90 days of entry
Turkeys: also from a U.S. MG-clean flock or negative MG test within 30 days of entry
Documented on a CVI, NPIP form, VS 9-3, 90-day certificate, NPIP flock certification form or similar certificate
Non-certified poultry must be individually identified by a permanent leg or wing band or tattoo; wrap-around plastic bands not accepted
NPIP-certified flocks (or commuter flock agreements) entering on a VS 9-3 or similar are exempt from the CVI unless a state of emergency has been declared
No poultry from flocks where infectious laryngotracheitis was active or diagnosed in the last 30 days
Healthy poultry direct to an approved slaughter plant need no CVI; diseased birds to slaughter only with State Veterinarian approval
No animal, including poultry or birds of any species, that is diseased, recently exposed, or from a quarantined area or area of lesser disease status may be moved into Arkansas without the State Veterinarian's prior written permission (2 CAR § 195-101(a))
Non-compliant livestock and poultry are quarantined at the owner's expense
Entry permits are required for non-poultry birds, not for poultry (2 CAR § 195-102(a)(1)); but see below and ar-rule-ai-entry-1, which name an entry permit number for poultry
Hatching eggs and chicks: health certificate or VS 9-3 showing the source flock tested free of PT, MG and MS, or NPIP production (2 CAR § 151-103(f))
“(a)(1) All poultry, which includes game birds, quail, pheasants, peafowl, turkeys, and waterfowl shall have originated from a United States pullorum-clean flock or have had a negative pullorum test within ninety (90) days of entry.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 195-209(a)(1)
“(2) All turkeys shall also have originated from a United States MG clean flock or have had a negative MG test within thirty (30) days of entry.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 195-209(a)(2)
“(5) All noncertified poultry must be individually identified, either by a permanent leg or wing band or tattoo.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 195-209(a)(5)
“(7) NPIP-certified flocks of turkeys, chickens, and domesticated fowl entering on a VS 9-3 or NPIP flock certification form or similar certificate or those covered by a commuter flock agreement are exempt from the requirement of a certificate of veterinary inspection unless a state of emergency has been declared.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 195-209(a)(7)
“(3) No poultry can be imported into Arkansas from flocks where infectious laryngotracheitis has been active or been diagnosed during the last thirty (30) days.”
Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission (Code of Arkansas Rules, official version) · codeofarrules.arkansas.gov · 2 CAR § 195-209(b)(3)
“(a) No animal, including poultry or birds of any species, that is affected with or that has been recently exposed to any infectious, contagious, or communicable disease or that originates from a quarantined area, or area of lesser disease status, shall be shipped or in any manner transported or moved into Arkansas”
“(a)(1) Permits are required on all swine, zoo, fur-bearing, and other wild and/or exotic animals, ratites, camelids, cervids, passerine birds, psittacine birds, and all other avian except poultry entering the State of Arkansas.”
“(2) All eggs for hatching purposes and all chicks imported into the state must be accompanied by an official health certificate or NPIP form VS 9-3 (form 15) indicating that the flock from which the eggs or chicks originated have been tested for PT, MG, and MS and were free of reactors to these diseases.”
Not about bird flu, but they apply to poultry coming in.
In force, no end dateBringing birds in
New World screwworm entry rule (not bird flu): warm-blooded animals from an infested state need an iCVI within 7 days stating they were inspected free of screwworm
Table eggs, hatching eggs, chicks under five days and NPIP Types B, C, D and J flocks on a VS 9-3 are exempt
In effect from June 17, 2026 · No end date in the source
Statewide · entry into Arkansas from New World screwworm infested states and zones (not a bird-flu measure) · Birds: warm-blooded animals (poultry exemptions listed)
Names 'warm-blooded animals' and lists poultry exemptions (eggs, chicks under five days, NPIP B, C, D and J on a 9-3), so poultry are covered
From an infested state (not an infested zone): iCVI dated within 7 days with the inspection statement
Exempt from the infested-state iCVI requirement: table eggs, hatching eggs, chicks under five days of age, and NPIP Types B, C, D and J moving on a VS Form 9-3; the notice states no exemption for movements from an Infested Zone
From an infested zone: movement restricted under federal NWS guidance, plus a state entry permit
Notice posted June 17, 2026; no end date stated
Individual inspection is required for all other animals (group-housed food animals may be inspected as a group)
A valid PIN is required for interstate and intrastate animal movement from an NWS Infested Zone
“All warm‑blooded animals entering Arkansas from an infested state (but not from an Infested Zone) must be accompanied by an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (iCVI) dated within 7 days of entry.”
“Table eggs, hatching eggs, and chicks under five days of age are exempt from this interstate movement requirement, as are National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) Types B, C, D, and J moving on a USDA VS Form 9-3.”
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed additional detections of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Texas and New Mexico.”
“Poultry owners should monitor their flocks and report any possible symptoms to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture at 501-823-1746.”
Arkansas Department of Agriculture · agriculture.arkansas.gov · HPAI – Frequently Asked Questions
Recent detections in Arkansas
USDA APHIS lists no confirmed bird-flu detections in Arkansas flocks in the 30 days to October 14, 2026. Latest detection in the APHIS data: October 9, 2026. The national picture
Common questions
Is there a bird flu order in Arkansas right now?
Arkansas: a bird-flu show and fair rule is being re-checked. The agency's own pages disagree or couldn't be read, so call the Arkansas Department of Agriculture at (501) 823-1746 before moving, showing or selling birds. What we have confirmed is below.
Can I take my chickens to a poultry show or swap in Arkansas?
Arkansas's show and sale rules are being re-checked: The official Code of Arkansas Rules still carries a 1984 avian influenza rule prohibiting all poultry exhibitions, except junior district fairs showing only Arkansas poultry, 'until the threat of avian influenza no longer exists'; the Department's current pages describe exhibition testing rules instead and do not mention it. Until that's settled, call the Arkansas Department of Agriculture at (501) 823-1746 before an event.
What do I need to bring chickens or hatching eggs into Arkansas?
Standing rule (2 CAR § 195-209): poultry, game birds and waterfowl need U.S. Pullorum-Clean origin or a pullorum test within 90 days (turkeys also MG within 30 days), on a CVI, VS 9-3 or similar; non-certified birds banded; NPIP flocks on a 9-3 need no CVI unless an emergency is declared; no birds from ILT flocks (30 days). No diseased or exposed birds, or birds from a quarantined area, without the State Veterinarian's written permission. When the avian influenza section is implemented (2 CAR § 151-104), birds also need a CVI with H5/H7 statements or an AI test within two weeks, plus an entry permit number. A 1984 rule still in the code (Part 193) also calls for entry permit numbers for live poultry; its status is unresolved. Since June 17, 2026, screwworm rules require an iCVI for warm-blooded animals from infested states (eggs, young chicks and NPIP B/C/D/J flocks exempt).
Who do I call about sick or dead birds in Arkansas?
Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Division / State Veterinarian (rules issued by the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission) at (501) 823-1746 (sick bird hotline). Report sick or dying birds there or to USDA at 1-866-536-7593. This page is not veterinary advice; follow your state veterinarian.
How current is this page?
We read Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Division / State Veterinarian (rules issued by the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission)'s notices on October 14, 2026. Whether each order is in force is worked out from its dates every time the page is rebuilt, at least once an hour, so an order never shows as in force after it ends.
We read each document ourselves and last checked this page against them on October 14, 2026. Where they disagree, we show you the disagreement instead of picking a winner quietly.
What we couldn't confirm
MUST RESOLVE BEFORE PUBLISHING: 2 CAR § 193-106 (1984) prohibits all poultry exhibitions except junior district fairs 'until the threat of avian influenza no longer exists', and § 193-101 requires entry permit numbers for all live poultry. Both are in the official Code of Arkansas Rules today, yet the Department's pages and 2 CAR Parts 194-195 describe a working exhibition and entry system without them. No repeal or determination that the threat has ended was found. Ask the Animal Health Division ((501) 823-1746 / (501) 907-2400) whether Part 193 is still applied.
Whether 2 CAR § 151-104 (avian influenza section) is currently 'implemented', and whether any affected area is active today, is not stated anywhere found. APHIS shows no unreleased Arkansas control area, but the Department's ~25-mile affected area is its own determination; no list of affected areas was found.
The Department's AI page summary presents the affected-area restrictions as standing rules, without the rule's 'may be implemented' trigger.
Part 195's codification note (saved, ar-car-part-195.txt) gives 'Effective: January 3, 2011'; Part 194's note cites only its 1963, 1985 and 1997 Acts; Part 151 section history was not captured. The Code of Arkansas Rules is updated weekly and 'may not reflect recent rulemaking'; the Department's rules page shows no pending poultry rule change.
§ 151-103(d) requires MG and MS tests for exhibition poultry, while § 194-210 lists only pullorum-typhoid for in-state birds; both are recorded.
media.ark.org is the Arkansas.gov media host that serves the Department's PDFs (linked from agriculture.arkansas.gov); the rule PDF there is an agency copy, and the record's rule quotes all come from the Code of Arkansas Rules.
No Department release was found for the April 2026 Clay County commercial case (APHIS Clay 02); the site search returned no 2026 HPAI case release.
nature: ar-1984-exhibition-ban-1 and ar-1984-poultry-entry-1 are marked standing_rule because they are codified rules, so they cannot fire a 'restriction in force' alert; if ADA confirms Part 193 is still applied, 193-106 should be treated as a live restriction.
The ADA site search lists a PDF titled 'Avian Influenza Emergency Rule in Effect from March 23 through July 20, 2022' (ar-ada-site-search.txt); it was not read. By its own title it expired in 2022, so it is not recorded as a measure.
