The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds from several countries previously affected by avian influenza outbreaks.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. signed several memorandum orders formally allowing the resumption of poultry imports of live birds (domestic and wild, specifically for pet or zoo) from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Sweden, as well as Kelantan and Sabah in Malaysia.
The ban had been imposed following reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in those areas.
However, according to the DA, all reported cases have since been resolved with no new outbreaks, prompting the government to reopen its borders to these poultry shipments.
The DA said that in light of the official reports submitted by the concerned veterinary authorities, and upon evaluation by the Bureau of Animal Industry, the risk of importing poultry from these areas has been deemed negligible.
The lifting of the ban covers live domestic birds and wild birds. Importation of approved commodities will now be allowed entry into the Philippines, subject to compliance with all existing sanitary and phytosanitary regulations.
“All import transactions of the above commodities shall be in accordance with existing rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture,” the DA emphasized in its directives.
The Department continually works to stabilize supply chains in the face of rising demand and support the country’s growing economy.
