March 26, 2024

Philippines implements import ban on cattle and buffaloes from four countries

The Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) has enacted a ban on the importation of live cattle and buffaloes, along with related by-products, originating from Thailand, Russia, Libya, and South Korea due to reported disease outbreaks, The Manila Times reported.

The imposition of the temporary ban comes in response to confirmed outbreaks of lumpy skin disease (LSD), a condition that damages the skin of affected animals, diminishing the value of hides and potentially leading to death. This measure extends to live animals as well as products like milk, embryos, hides, and semen.

To reinforce biosecurity measures, the processing of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances has been halted.

While there is no official record of imported meat and dairy products from the four countries, Philippines' Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr stressed the importance of preventing the entry of the LSD virus to safeguard the health of the local cattle and buffalo population.

He said that stringent inspections would be conducted on all arrivals of milk, milk products, embryos, skin, semen, and live animals by DA veterinary quarantine officers stationed at ports of entry.

Although LSD fatalities are typically low, the economic repercussions can be significant, including reduced milk production and animal infertility.

Reports submitted by Thailand, Russia, Libya, and South Korea to the World Organisation for Animal Health from November to December 2023 confirmed outbreaks of the LSD virus.

-      The Manila Times