In Cebu province to prevent bird flu: Ban on poultry anew

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Province has imposed another ban on live poultry and wild birds, this time, including game fowl, pigeons, and pet birds due to the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 or bird flu.

The ban, which took effect on April 9, 2022, will run for 45 days.

The new rules are meant to prevent bird flu from entering Cebu, which poses a threat to the P12 billion poultry industry of the province.

A memo issued by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia states that live birds (poultry and non-poultry) including day-old chicks, day-old pullets, ready-to-lay pullets, ducks, quails, game fowls, pigeons and pet birds are not allowed to enter Cebu if they came from Luzon, Mindanao, and countries that have positive cases of Avian Influenza (AI).

Live birds from AI-free areas are allowed entrance provided requirements are complied with, including a veterinary health certificate issued by the Provincial Veterinarian where the live birds originate from; veterinary shipping permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry/ Deputized  Veterinary Quarantine Officers; ELISA/HI/RT-PCR negative laboratory test result on AI; certification of no AI outbreak from sourced farm for the past seven days, which will be issued by the Provincial Veterinarian; and Local Transport Permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for wild birds.

Last March 7, Garcia issued an executive order prohibiting the entry of poultry products and eggs, including fresh eggs and embryonated eggs.

In her latest EO this month, Garcia imposed additional requirements for the local movement of poultry products, which must be observed upon entry into the province.

Poultry meat products are allowed to enter Cebu Province provided there is a meat inspection certificate (MIC) from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and veterinary shipping permit.

For imported poultry meat, a certificate of meat inspection (COMI) from the NMIS and veterinary shipping permit are required.

The requirements for processed poultry and canned goods poultry products include a license to operate and certificate of product registration issued by the Food and Drug Administration.

Cebu Province is now allowing the entry of eggs, may it be table eggs, salted eggs, quail eggs, embryonated eggs/balut and hatching eggs upon compliance of the requirements like the veterinary health certificate, veterinary shipping permit and ELISA/HI/RT-PCR negative laboratory test result on AI from the sourced flock.

These documents must be presented by the shipper or trader with necessary risk mitigation measures that are being observed. Hatching eggs must be put in plastic trays and containers for cleaning and disinfection.

The new EO requires imported live birds from AI-free countries to have SPS import clearance, landing permit, notice of Quarantine and Veterinary shipping permit before allowed entry into the Province.

The arrival of these imported birds and poultry products must be coordinated with the Cebu Provincial Veterinarian.

Shipment of bird dung, manure, and bird feathers into Cebu is still not allowed.

Transhipment of live birds from AI-free provinces are allowed to enter or pass-through Cebu through seaports and airport area or vicinity.JMO (FREEMAN)