DA allows milk imports from Thailand, Russia, South Korea, Libya

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has allowed the importation of milk and milk products from Thailand, Russia, South Korea and Libya after he had previously ordered a ban on the entry of live cattle and buffalo from the four countries amid the threat of lumpy skin disease (LSD).

Laurel issued Memorandum Circular No. 6 amending Memorandum Order No. 6, stating that only live bovines, water buffaloes, semen and embryos are covered by the prohibition.

In an amended directive, Laurel said that the importation of skeletal muscle meat, casings, gelatin, collagen tallow, hooves and horns is allowed.

“These are considered safe commodities and are not included in the temporary restriction, subject to the Philippines’ import terms and conditions,” he added.

Aside from milk and milk products, meal and flour from blood, meat and other skeletal muscle or bones, hides and other products from cattle and water buffaloes can also be imported from the four countries as long as importers can secure a veterinary certificate from the country of origin that these were subjected to pasteurization, according to the agriculture chief.

He emphasized that the ban on live cattle and buffaloes from Thailand, South Korea, Russia and Libya was necessary to prevent the entry of LSD to the Philippines and protect the health of the local cattle and buffalo population.

“LSD is a disease of economic importance as it causes temporary reduction in milk production, temporary or permanent sterility in bulls, damage to hides and, occasionally, death,” Laurel said.

“The LSD virus is also remarkably stable, surviving for long periods at ambient temperature, especially in dried scabs, as they are very resistant to inactivation,” he added.

Thailand, Russia, South Korea and Libya have reported ongoing cases of LSD as shown in the World Organization for Animal Health’s World Animal Health Information System.

“The virus can still potentially spread through the movement of animals and animal products,” Laurel said.