The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Monday a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds as well as related products from France which reported an outbreak of avian influenza in early August.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order 40 on Sept. 27, 2024, which prohibits the entry of live poultry, poultry products, and by-products, including day-old chicks and semen from France.
“We are imposing the ban as a preemptive measure to stop the entry of infected birds and their by-products into the country. This step will prevent the spread of the virus that could have a devastating impact on the local poultry industry,” Tiu Laurel said.
The DA issued the decision after France notified the World Organization on Animal Health (WOAH) of the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Saint-Malo, Ille-et-Vilaine, Bretagne on Aug. 7, 2024, which was later confirmed by laboratory tests.
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) suspended the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import clearances for shipments originating from France.
Only birds slaughtered or products processed before July 25, 2024 will be permitted entry into the Philippines.
Veterinary quarantine offices will intercept and confiscate shipments of wild and domestic birds, eggs, semen, poultry products and by-products from France, except those that have undergone heat treatment.
The DA indicated that the import ban would remain in effect until further notice.
The Philippines imported 150,752 kilograms of poultry products from France from January and August 2024.
