March 17, 2004

 

 

Philippines Bans US, Canada Poultry On Bird Flu
 

The Philippines has temporarily banned the imports of poultry and its products from Maryland in the United States and British Columbia in Canada.

Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. issued the order after the US Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the occurrence of avian flu in Pocomoke City in Maryland.

 

The country, which remains bird flu-free, imports birds from Maryland.

 

He also directed the Bureau of Animal Industry to stop and confiscate all shipments of poultry and poultry products into the country from Maryland.

 

"I have ordered the Bureau of Animal Industry to immediately suspend the processing, evaluation and issuance of veterinary quarantine clearances, international veterinary certificates, import permit for applications relevant to the importation of the birds and poultry products from the state," he said.

 

He said he expects the move will prevent the entry of the dreaded avian flu which affected the poultry industry in some Asian countries.

 

Also included in the order are poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and
semen.

 

About 328,000 birds were quarantined and depopulated in two farms in Maryland while 16,000 birds were slaughtered in Canada.

 

Maryland is the second state in the USA that has confirmed the occurrence of the contagious avian flu.

 

The other was Delaware in Texas.

 

The DA likewise ordered the rendering of the 125,000 kilos of imported chicken leg quarters contained in the five vans that were part of the 19 vans containing smuggled chicken intercepted last January at the Batangas Port.

 

The rendering was done by JMP Animal Food Manufacturing and Rendering Plant in Lipa City and was supervised by the Philippine National Police.

 

"These are all part of the government's continuing and consistent efforts to protect the local poultry and livestock industry and ensure food security for our people," Lorenzo said.