PH bans importation of birds from New Zealand amid bird flu outbreak

The Philippine government, through the Department of Agriculture (DA), has imposed a ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds from New Zealand amid an outbreak of avian influenza or bird flu there.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DA said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order 01 ordering the immediate suspension of processing, evaluation, and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for domestic and wild birds, as well as eggs, day-old chicks, semen, and poultry meat from New Zealand.

However, shipments already in transit, loaded, or accepted at ports before the official communication of the ban will be allowed entry, provided the products were slaughtered or produced before November 9, 2024, according to the Agriculture Department.

The DA said quarantine authorities have been instructed to confiscate different poultry commodities cited in the order.

The importation ban was issued after tests conducted by the New Zealand National Animal Health Laboratory on domestic birds from East Otago, Waitaki, and Canterbury in late November last year yielded positive test results for H7N6 strain of high pathogenicity avian influenza.

The outbreak has been officially reported by New Zealand authorities to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Tiu Laurel said the import ban "is crucial in preventing the entry of high pathogenic avian influenza into the Philippines, safeguarding the health of the local poultry population."

The Agriculture chief said the country’s poultry industry, including egg production, is a multi-billion-peso sector that supports significant investments, creates numerous jobs, and plays a vital role in ensuring the country's food security. — VDV, GMA Integrated News