June 14, 2024

Philippines bans imports of birds and poultry from Michigan, US

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) announced a temporary import ban on birds and poultry products from Michigan, US, Philippine News Agency reported.

This decision followed a report by the US Chief Veterinary Officer to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) regarding an outbreak of the H5N1 subtype of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (AI) in the region.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P Tiu Laurel Jr immediately suspended the importation of domestic and wild birds and associated products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from Michigan, according to Memorandum Order 24 dated June 7, 2024.

The order also halts the issuance of new sanitary and phytosanitary permits by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

Shipments from Michigan that are in transit, loaded, or accepted at ports before the issuance of the order may be permitted if they were "processed or produced" within 14 days before the initial reported outbreak. Non-compliant shipments may be destroyed, redirected, or returned to Michigan.

Simultaneously, the DA lifted the import ban on birds and other poultry products from Ohio, US under Memorandum Order 23.

This includes domestic and wild birds, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen, which were banned since mid-January due to an AI outbreak.

Secretary Laurel approved this move following a report from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to the WOAH, indicating the resolution of all AI cases in Ohio. The report mentioned that no further outbreaks have been recorded since April 2.

-      Philippine News Agency