PH lifts import ban on cattle, meat products from UK

The Philippines has lifted the ban on the importation of live cattle and meat products from the United Kingdom (UK) after the European country ended the spread of mad cow disease impacting its livestock sector.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order No. 45, on October 11, which lifted the import ban issued nearly five months ago.

The Agriculture chief issued the MO 45 after official reports of the UK to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) showed that the Bovine spongiform encephalopathy or mad cow disease case in the European nation “has ended with resolved status and no additional outbreaks after August 7, 2024.”

Tiu Laurel also noted that UK authorities also provided evidence to show that food safety measures are in place and are equivalent to guidelines in the Philippines.

To recall, on May 30, the DA ordered a ban on importation of live cattle, meat and meat products, bovine processed animal protiens and semen derived from cattle originating from the UK in response to reported cases of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease.

The Agriculture chief had said that the import ban was meant to mitigate potential health risks to consumers and protect the local livestock industry.

In lifting the import ban, Tiu Laurel said that as a country recognized by the WOAH with “negligible” risk of the mad cow disease, “the acceptance of all in-transit and incoming shipments from the United Kingdom may commence provided with verified equivalence from the United Kingdom Veterinary Authority.” — RSJ, GMA Integrated News