DA bans Iowa poultry amid bird flu outbreaks

MANILA, Philippines —  Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has banned the importation of poultry products from Iowa in the US amid outbreaks of H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza.

Laurel signed Memorandum Order 73 ordering the prohibition of the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen originating from Iowa.

He cited the official report submitted by US agriculture officials and the World Organization for Animal Health, in which there were several outbreaks of avian flu in the Midwestern US state that affected domestic birds, as confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

“The rapid spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in the United States in a short period of time since its first laboratory detection necessitates a wider coverage of trade restriction to prevent the entry of HPAI virus and protect the health of the local poultry population,” Laurel said.

He ordered the immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance for poultry products from Iowa.

“All shipments coming from the mentioned areas of the United States that are in transit unto port before the official communication of this order shall be allowed, provided that the products were slaughtered 14 days before the first outbreak in the particular locality dated Nov. 1, 2023,” he added.