The temporary ban on all imports of domestic and wild birds along with poultry and its products from Saskatchewan, Canada has been recently lifted by the Department of Agriculture.
According to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, the lifting of the ban was ordered after an evaluation by the Bureau of Animal Industry showed that the risk of contamination from importing poultry products from Saskatchewan, Canada is negligible.
In his memorandum, Yap said “90 days have elapsed without any evidence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza since the cleaning and disinfection of infected premises” conducted in the province.
This was cited in the final report submitted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to the Office International dez Epizooties or Animal Health Organization.
The DA has also lifted the ban on entry of birds, poultry and its products from Germany and Italy after these countries were declared AI virus free by the animal health organization.
The Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the OIE sets a three-month period before a country regains its bird flu-free status.
However, in order to protect human health and the poultry industry of the Philippines, entry of birds and poultry products from Korea, Saudi Arabia, Poland and the Western African country of Benin is still not allowed.
The Philippines has remained free of bird flu ever since the H5N1 strain of this virus resurfaced in Asia in 2003. — Ghea N. Sinajon, STC MediaComm intern/MEEV