PH lifts ban on importing birds, poultry from Denmark

The Philippines has lifted the ban on importing domestic and wild birds, including poultry products, from Denmark nearly two years after the directive was imposed, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Friday.

In a statement, the DA said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued on Tuesday Memorandum Order. No. 50 which lifts the temporary import ban imposed in December 2022.

The ban was lifted after the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration informed the World Organization for Animal Health that all cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the European country had been resolved, and no additional outbreaks had been reported since September 12, 2024

The import ban imposed by the DA covered domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen, which was triggered following reports of an avian flu outbreak in Denmark.

The ban was enacted to protect both consumers and the local poultry industry, according to the Agriculture Department.

Tiu Laurel said the latest order would take effect immediately, but noted that all import transactions must comply with the Department's regulations and guidelines concerning agricultural food imports. — Ted Cordero/RSJ, GMA Integrated News