July 25, 2012

Philippines removes import ban on Australian poultry

Philippine government lifted the temporary ban against poultry products imported from Melbourne, Australia after determining the risk of bringing in such products is "negligible".

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said Tuesday (July 24) that with the lifting of the ban, the Philippine government will resume the issuance of import permits for poultry products and wild birds from Melbourne.

Alcala said Australia's Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery, and Forestry has submitted an official report to the Office International des Epizooties stating that the avian influenza (AI) event in Melbourne in Victoria has already been resolved last June 5.

He added that the disinfection of infected premises was completed on March 6 and no further cases of AI have been detected.

The Philippines imposed a temporary ban on poultry products from Melbourne in January after Australia confirmed the presence of LPAI subtype H5 in duck meat grower farm. LPAI was detected following a routine surveillance of the farm.

While Australia is not a traditional source of poultry meat for the Philippines, the Department of Agriculture said it imposed the ban as a "precautionary measure" to prevent travellers from bringing in wild birds and pets into the country.

The Philippines is one of the few countries in Asia that remains free from the dreaded AI virus.