MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, as well as poultry products from New Zealand, following an avian influenza (AI) outbreak reported in November 2024.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday (08 Jan 2025) emphasized the importance of the ban to protect the Philippine poultry industry from the high-pathogenic AI strain. “This measure is crucial to safeguard the health of the local poultry population,” he said in a statement.
The outbreak was traced to the H7N6 strain of avian influenza, which was detected in domestic birds in East Otago, Waitaki, and Canterbury in late November. The World Organization for Animal Health was notified of the findings shortly thereafter.
As per DA Memorandum Order 01, the ban covers all domestic and wild birds, eggs, day-old chicks, poultry semen, and meat. Additionally, the processing and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) for these products have been suspended.
However, shipments already in transit or at ports before the ban may still be allowed, provided they were produced or slaughtered before November 9, 2024.
This move is part of ongoing efforts to prevent the introduction of potentially dangerous strains of avian flu into the Philippines.
ia/mnm
