PH suspends poultry imports from Indiana over bird flu outbreak
The Philippines has temporarily stopped the importation of poultry and related products from the US state of Indiana after confirmed cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. signed an order enforcing the ban, which immediately halts shipments of poultry meat, eggs, day-old chicks, and poultry semen from the Midwestern US state.
The move came after a February 23 report from the US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirming several H5N1 outbreaks in Indiana. The virus cases were verified through laboratory testing conducted by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the restriction is necessary due to the rapid spread of the virus across the United States. The measure aims to protect the country’s poultry sector from possible infection.
Under a 2016 animal health agreement between the Philippines and the United States, a state-wide ban may be enforced if bird flu outbreaks affect three or more counties in a state. Indiana has exceeded this limit based on reports submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Because of the ban, the government will stop issuing Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances for affected poultry products. Previously approved permits for live birds have also been cancelled.
However, shipments already on their way or accepted at ports before the order took effect may still enter the country, provided the poultry products were processed or slaughtered on or before January 30.
Authorities warned that shipments failing to meet these requirements will be confiscated or handled according to quarantine rules. Veterinary quarantine officers at major ports have also been instructed to strictly monitor and enforce the import restriction.
NPO News Team | DA Press Office - PR
