The Department of Agriculture has ordered a ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds from Australia following outbreaks of the deadly H7N3 and H7N9 avian influenza virus in the state of Victoria.
In memorandum order No. 21, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said imports from Australia of wild and domestic birds, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen will be immediately stopped while the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) by the Bureau of Animal Industry are suspended.
“All shipments coming from Australia that are in transit/load/accepted unto port before the official communication of this order to the Australian authorities shall be allowed provided that the products were slaughtered/produced on or before May 9, 2024,” said Sec. Tiu Laurel in the memorandum he signed on 6 June.
As of April 2024, Australia ranked as the 4th largest source of imported chicken meat, with a total volume of 5,365 metric tons, contributing to 4 percent of total volume of chicken imports. In addition, Australia is the third largest source of mechanically deboned meat (MDM), contributing 4,162 metric tons, or 6.1 percent of total volume of MDM imports.
During the same period, the Philippines imported 46,987 heads of day-old chicks and 30,780 pieces of hatching eggs.
