DA lifts ban on poultry products from Belgium, France

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has lifted the ban on the importation of poultry products from Belgium and France, saying the outbreak of avian influenza in the two countries has already been contained.

Laurel has issued Memorandum Order No. 15, allowing the resumption in the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products from Belgium.

The MO said that based on the official self-declaration report of Belgium to the World Organization for Animal Health, no additional outbreaks were reported after cases were reported on Feb. 21 in Belgium and Feb. 24 in France.

Laurel previously issued MO 2 banning the importation of live poultry, poultry, products and by-products, including day-old chicks and hatching eggs originating from Belgium, following outbreak of bird flu in that country.

Also covered by the lifting of the prohibition include poultry meat, day old chicks, eggs and semen.

“Based on the evaluation of the Department of Agriculture, the risk of contamination from importing live poultry, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen is negligible,” Laurel said.

He added that the resumption in the importation of poultry products from Belgium should be in accordance with existing rules and regulations of the DA.

Meanwhile, the agriculture chief also lifted the ban on the importation of poultry products from France after he issued MO 1 prohibiting the entry of products and by-products from that country.