DA bans import of livestock from Myanmar for now

The Department of Agriculture has issued a temporary ban on the importation of foot and mouth disease susceptible animals and their by products originating from Myanmar.

DA Secretary Domingo Panganiban in a memorandum order said that based on the report submitted by Dr. U. Maung Nyunt, director general, Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries said there were outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease of virus type Asia 1 in Myanmar.

The FMD outbreaks were reported in the following locations: Daw paw ka law and Pa kan in Loikaw district, state of Kayah; and Kalthawdaw, Demawhsoe district, state of Kayah of the place.

Panganiban said emergency measures has been put in place such as banning the importation of FMD-susceptible animals, their products and by-products, and fresh products and the immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation and issuance of Veterinary

Quarantine Clearance/International Veterinary Certificate/Import Permit for applications relevant to the importation of the above-stated commodities from Myanmar by the Bureau of Animal Industry.

He also said that other measures undertaken are the stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of FMD-susceptible animals, their products and by-products, and fresh frozen products into the country originating from Myanmar by all DA Quarantine Officers/Inspectors at all major sea/air ports. - Jasmin R. Uy