PH bans birds, poultry imports from Michigan due to bird flu

The Philippines is banning the importation of birds and poultry products from Michigan, United States due to an outbreak of bird flu in the American state.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order No. 24 on June 7, which immediately suspended the importation of domestic and wild birds and associated products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from Michigan. 

The importation ban was issued after the US Chief Veterinary Officer submitted an official report to the World Organization for Animal Health about an outbreak of the H5N1 subtype of avian influenza in Michigan, which was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, on March 29. 

The DA said US authorities observed the rapid spread of the virus, prompting the broadening of trade restrictions to safeguard the local poultry population.

Under the memorandum, shipments from Michigan currently in transit, loaded, or accepted at ports prior to the official communication of the order to US authorities will be permitted if the products were processed or produced 14 days before the initial outbreak was reported. 

“However, non-compliant shipments may face confiscation and destruction, return to the country of origin, or redirection to a third country,” the DA said.

The Agriculture Department also cited a bilateral agreement between the Philippines and the US in 2016, which stipulates the imposition of a state-wide ban if three or more counties are affected by avian flu, “underscoring the collaborative efforts to mitigate the spread of the disease and protect poultry populations.” —VAL, GMA Integrated News