Philippines issues temporary ban on imported poultry from US

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

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

Based on the official report submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health, there was an outbreak of H7N3 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in Chesterfield County, South Carolina that affects turkeys.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar issued an immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation of the application and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import clearance to the said commodities.

Dar said there would be a stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of the commodities into the Philippines by all DA veterinary quarantine officers at all major ports of entry.

All incoming poultry shipments with SPS import clearance issued on or before April 14 will be allowed provided that frozen poultry meat has a slaughter or process date of 21 days prior to the HPAI outbreak on or before March 19.

All shipments will still be subject to veterinary 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 and is set to take effect immediately.