November 3, 2025

The Philippines halts cattle imports from Spain

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a temporary ban on cattle imports from Spain following an outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the country.

The ban applies to buffalo, their products and by-products, including embryos, skin and semen. This is according to DA Memorandum Order No. 66 dated October 10.

"There is a need to prevent the entry of LSD virus to protect the health of the local cattle and water buffalo population," the memo states.

This covers the importation of raw hides of bovines, but it excludes skeletal muscle meat, casings, gelatine and collagen, tallow, hooves, and horns since these are considered "safe commodities."

The memo also excludes milk and milk products; meal and flour from blood, meat other than skeletal muscle, or bones from bovines and water buffaloes; processed hides of bovines and water buffaloes; and other products of bovines and water buffaloes, subject to certain requirements.

The DA implemented the import restriction as Spanish authorities informed the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) of an LSD outbreak in Cataluña on October 1.

-        Philippine Daily Inquirer