Philippines lifts poultry import bans from France, British Columbia

The Philippine government has lifted its ban on imports of birds, poultry and its products from France and the Canadian province of Southern British Columbia in the wake of a bird flu-free certification from global animal health authorities.

In separate memorandum orders late last week, the Agriculture department cleared the entry of poultry meat, day old chicks, eggs and semen after the certification was issued by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

The ban was lifted on June 17 for France as the OIE declared that country bird flu-free on May 23, while the Canadian province of Southern British Columbia was allowed to bring in poultry products on July 22 after regaining its bird flu-free status on June 11.

The government banned poultry importation from France and southern British Columbia early this year.