The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it temporarily banned the importation of domestic and wild birds from New Zealand following reports of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the country.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., issued Memorandum Order No. 01 stating that tests conducted by the New Zealand National Animal Health Laboratory in late November detected the H7N6 strain of HPAI in domestic birds from East Otago, Waitaki and Canterbury.
The outbreak was reported by New Zealand authorities to the World Organization for Animal Health.
Tiu Laurel said the ban, which extends to eggs, day-old chicks, poultry semen, and poultry meat, is critical to preventing the entry of the avian influenza virus into the Philippines.
The measure, he said, is intended to protect the health of the local poultry population and safeguard the country’s multi-billion-peso poultry industry, a vital contributor to food security, investment, and job creation.
The memorandum also orders the immediate suspension of processing, evaluation, and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for the specified items from New Zealand.
Shipments already in transit, loaded or accepted at ports prior to the official communication of the ban will be allowed entry, provided the products were slaughtered or produced before Nov. 9, 2024.
Quarantine authorities have been instructed to confiscate any poultry commodities covered by the ban to ensure compliance with the directive.
