March 28, 2024

Philippines lifts ban on US poultry imports after bird flu outbreak subsides

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) has officially lifted the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds from Iowa and Minnesota, US, into the Philippines, Manilla Bulletin reported.

Last year, Philippines' Agriculture Secretary Francisco P Tiu Laurel Jr imposed the ban following an outbreak of avian influenza in the two US states. The measure was taken as a precautionary step to prevent the potential spread of the virus within the Philippines.

Tiu Laurel announced the lifting of the ban, allowing the immediate importation of live poultry, poultry products, and related items like day-old chicks and hatching eggs. The decision stands unless revoked by the DA.

The decision to revoke the ban was based on the official report from US veterinary authorities to the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH). According to the report, all affected counties in Iowa and Minnesota have been free of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases since January 10 of this year.

The initial import ban was declared in January 2024, resulting in the seizure of all poultry products that entered the Philippines after November of the previous year.

The US serves as a significant source of poultry products for the Philippines, having exported a total of US$180.5 million worth of poultry meat and products, excluding eggs.

-      Manilla Bulletin