THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the temporary ban on the entry of domestic and wild birds from Iowa and Minnesota, following updates that bird flu incidence in the affected states were resolved, as reported to the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH).
In a related move, the declared Sultan Kudarat province as officially free of avian influenza (AI), easing the restriction on the movement of chickens, ducks, and other poultry and poultry products within and beyond the province’s borders.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the order lifting the ban will take effect immediately and remain in force until revoked.
The DA enforced the ban in 2023 due to the outbreak of avian influenza (AI) in the two states.
The US continues to be a major source of poultry products for the Philippines with total exports of poultry meat and products reaching $180.5 million in 2023.
The clean bill of health came after more than 90 days of extensive cleaning, disinfection, and rigorous testing, the DA said.
The restriction period has surpassed the WOAH guidelines, ensuring a complete eradication of the AI
threat.
In March 2022, Sultan Kudarat faced an outbreak of the highly contagious H5N1 strain of AI.
Cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 were first reported in the City of Tacurong and the towns of Isulan, Lebak, Lutayan and President Quirino in March 2022.
Several more reports of AI cases affecting ducks, native and layer chickens, turkeys, guinea fowls and geese from June 2022 through February 2023.
Before first cases were reported in early 2022, Sultan Kuradat had
been free of the disease that infects birds, both domestic and wild.
The quick response of local authorities, the DA, and the Bureau of
Animal Industry (BAI), successfully contained the outbreak.
The DA expect that the unrestricted movement of birds and products
will help in the rectory of the local economy and contribute to
regional food security.