DA bans China poultry products

MANILA, Philippines - The importation of poultry and poultry products from China is temporarily banned because of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Shanghai.

In a memorandum order dated April 17, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said China’s Ministry of Health has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza in poultry in Shanghai and neighboring regions on the eastern seaboard.

“There is a need to prevent the entry of pathogenic virus causing avian flu to protect the health of the local poultry population,” he said.

Quarantine officials must be cautious of travelers who might bring poultry and poultry products from China, Alcala said.

The government has banned the importation from Shanghai of domestic and wild birds and their products, including day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from China.

The Bureau of Animal Industry shall immediately suspend the processing, evaluation, and issuance of veterinary quarantine clearance or international veterinary certificate import permit for the importation of these commodities from China.

Agriculture quarantine inspectors shall seize all shipments of poultry and poultry products from China in major sea and airports.

Bird flu has reportedly killed around 23 people in China since the outbreak sometime in March.