PH bans importation of birds from Australia

The Philippine government, through the Department of Agriculture (DA), has banned the importation of birds from Australia following confirmed cases of bird flu in the southern nation.

In a statement on Saturday, the DA said the ban on importing domestic and wild birds from Australia was ordered after its Chief Veterinary Officer submitted reported outbreaks of H7N3 and H7N9 —subtypes of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus— to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

The outbreaks were recorded on May 23 in Meredith and May 25 in Terang in the state of Victoria. 

The infection was confirmed by the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.

Following this notification by the Australian government, the DA said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum order No. 21.

The memorandum ordered the Bureau of Animal Industry to suspend the issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSIC) for imports from Australia of wild and domestic birds, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen.

“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 Tiu Laurel in the memorandum signed on June 6.

As of April 2024, the DA said Australia ranked as the fourth largest source of imported chicken meat, with a total volume of 5,365 metric tons, contributing to 4% 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% of total volume of MDM imports.

During the same period, the Philippines has imported 46,987 heads of day-old chicks and 30,780 pieces of hatching eggs. —VAL, GMA Integrated News