The Department of Agriculture said Wednesday it lifted the temporary ban imposed on the importation of wild and domestic birds, including poultry products, from Japan over the recent cases of bird flu.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order No. 31 that would allow the resumption of day-old chicks and hatching eggs importation from Japan.
Japan earlier reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) that cases of the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) had been resolved and that no additional cases had been reported since June 2, 2024.
Japan first reported cases of the H5N1 subtype of the bird flu virus on Nov. 8, 2023.
WOAH noted that the H5N1 virus could spread rapidly among bird population, including poultry which is a multibillion-peso industry in the Philippines.
“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,” Tiu Laurel said.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said it did not receive confirmed laboratory results of bird flue outbreak in Tarlac province. The last officially confirmed case in the province was recorded in December 2023.
The BAI, through its Animal Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory (ADDRL), is the sole authority responsible for detecting and confirming positive cases of bird flu using standardized testing protocols.
Emphasizing its commitment to the health and safety of the poultry industry, the BAI urged the public and media to rely on verified information and official statements from the agency.
The BAI said that in the event of any confirmed bird flu cases, it would promptly inform them and take necessary measures to contain and address the situation.
