DA temporarily bans India poultry imports

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds and its products from India following an outbreak of avian virus in the area.

In a recent memorandum order issued by the Office of the Secretary, DA has instituted the ban of importation of domestic and wild birds including poultry meat, day old chicks, egg, and semen from India.

Based on the report submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health, there was outbreak of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in Karnataka in India that affects birds.

DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol issued an immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation of the application and issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) import clearance to the said commodities.

Piñol said there would be stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of the commodities (with the exception of heat treated products) into the Philippines by all DA veterinary quarantine officers at all major ports.

Meanwhile, frozen poultry meats with slaughter and process date of 21 days prior to the HPAI outbreak are allowed to enter the country but are subject to quarantine rules and regulations.

The memorandum order was issued to prevent the entry of HPAI virus to protect the health of the public and the local poultry population. It is set to take effect immediately.