The Department of Agriculture (DA) has once again imposed a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, as well as poultry products, from The Netherlands after additional outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the import ban is intended to prevent the entry of bird flu virus “to protect the health of the local poultry industry,” a multi-billion-peso business that spurs large investments, creates jobs, and helps ensure food security.
He said the chief veterinarian of The Netherlands’ Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has reported additional outbreak of H5 subtype of avian influenza on November 17 in Putten, Gelderland affecting domestic birds. He said the presence of the bird flu virus was confirmed by the Wageningen Bioverterinary Research.
As an emergency measure, Secretary Tiu Laurel issued Memorandum Order no.56, which directs the Bureau of Animal Industry to suspend the processing and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for the importation of domestic and wild birds from The Netherlands, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen used for artificial insemination.
The DA chief’s order also mandates all veterinary quarantine officers and inspectors nationwide to confiscate commodities imported from The Netherlands, except those that were already in transit or arrived at local ports after the issuance of the order. For poultry products, they must have been slaughtered on or before November 3. Heat-treated products are also exempted from the import ban.
