May 23, 2007

Philippines lifts ban on Japanese poultry, poultry product imports
 

The Philippines has lifted a ban on poultry and poultry products from Japan due to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the country early this year, the agriculture department said Wednesday.

The ban, which was imposed in January this year, was lifted as Japan is now believed to be free of the dreaded HPAI, the agriculture department said.

Based on a report made by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), 90 days have already elapsed without any evidence of HPAI since a stamping-out policy was conducted in January this year, the department said.

"The risk of contamination from importing poultry and poultry products from Japan is negligible," Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said.

While the Philippines does not import any poultry products from Japan, the ban served as a precautionary measure as there was a possibility that travellers may bring in pet birds from Japan, the department said.