The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted its temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds from Japan after veterinary authorities declared the country free of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The decision restores access to an important source of poultry breeding stock while maintaining safeguards to protect the country’s livestock and poultry industries.
The DA decision covers domestic and wild birds, including day-old chicks and hatching eggs, reversing a restriction imposed under DA Memorandum Order No. 72, Series of 2025, after Japan reported a bird flu outbreak.
The policy action followed official confirmation from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries that the outbreak had been resolved and no additional cases had been detected. The World Organisation for Animal Health has likewise recognized Japan as free from avian influenza under its animal health standards.
Based on the DA’s risk assessment, the likelihood of disease transmission through imports from Japan is now considered negligible, paving the way for the resumption of trade.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the decision reflects the DA’s science-based approach to balancing food security with the protection of the country’s livestock and poultry industries.
“We will never compromise the health of our poultry industry, but we also recognize the importance of keeping reliable supply channels open when science tells us the risk has been effectively eliminated,” Tiu Laurel said.
“Lifting the ban supports food security by ensuring access to quality breeding materials, strengthens the competitiveness of our poultry sector, and demonstrates that sound animal health measures can protect both public health and agricultural production,” he added.
The reopening is significant for the local poultry industry because Japan supplies high-quality breeding stock and hatching eggs that help sustain local production and improve flock genetics. Restoring these imports could ease supply constraints for commercial producers while supporting long-term productivity.
The DA emphasized that the reopening does not signal a relaxation of biosecurity measures. Veterinary inspections, quarantine protocols and import requirements will remain in place to prevent the entry of animal diseases.
The Department Circular No.40 takes effect 15 days after its publication on the DA’s official website and the completion of its filing with the Office of the National Administrative Register, formally restoring poultry trade between the Philippines and Japan under established animal health safeguards.
