The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the temporary ban on importing domesticated and wild birds, including poultry products, from New Zealand.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order No. 62, allowing the resumption of imports such as poultry meat, day-old chicks, table eggs, and poultry semen.
The ban was initially imposed in January following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in New Zealand. However, the DA reversed the decision after New Zealand reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) that all HPAI cases had been resolved, with no new outbreaks detected.
“New Zealand is now free from HPAI,” Tiu Laurel said, citing the Bureau of Animal Industry’s assessment that the risk of contamination is now negligible. Imports may resume immediately for products slaughtered or produced after the order, subject to existing DA regulations.
