Philippines temporarily bans Australian poultry imports amid bird flu

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

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

Based on the official report submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health, there was an outbreak of H7N7 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in Lethbridge, Victoria in Australia that affects birds.

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 commodities.

Dar said there will be a stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of these 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 Aug. 6 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 July 3.

All shipments will still be subject to veterinary quarantine rules and regulations. The memorandum order is set to take effect immediately.