April 18, 2012

Philippines halts Taiwanese poultry imports

Imports of poultry and related products from Taiwan have been suspended by the Philippines because of recent reports of the presence of avian influenza at chicken farms in Taiwan.

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture said that at least one chicken farm, in Liujia, Taiwan, has reported the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

As a result, poultry and related products and wild birds from Taiwan will now be banned from entering the Philippines, department officials said.

The officials said the Philippines is one of only a few Asian countries that are "avian flu-free," and they hope to maintain that edge to create more commercial opportunities for their country's poultry industry, which grew by 4.34% last year.