Philippines lifts ban on Canadian pork imports

The Philippines' Agriculture Department has lifted the temporary ban on imports of Canadian pork and pork products following reports from international health organisations that the AH1N1 flu cannot be transmitted by food.

With the World Health Organisation and the World Organisation for Animal Health repeatedly issuing safety declarations, continuing the temporary suspension on pork imports would place the Philippines at risk of trade sanctions from affected countries, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director Davinio Catbagan.

The Philippines temporarily suspended imports of live hogs, pork and pork products from Canada, Mexico and the US late last month as a precautionary measure.

Lifting the ban on Canadian pork imports would help the local hog industry convince the public that pork is safe to eat, Catbagan said.