THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted a ban on poultry imports from Michigan, following the resolution of reported cases of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the US state.
In a memorandum order issued by the DA on Monday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the ban was lifted after US veterinary authorities reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health the resolution of all HPAI cases in Michigan.
“No new cases have been reported after July 12,†the DA.
In June, the DA imposed a temporary import ban on domestic and wild birds and their products after receiving reports of the avian flu outbreak in Michigan. The ban covered poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen.
The US has an HPAI regionalization arrangement with the Philippines, allowing for state-wide trade restrictions instead of blanket bans on products from the entire US in the event of an outbreak.
According to Mr. Laurel, the lifting of the ban will take effect immediately but noted “that all import transactions must adhere to all DA rules and regulations pertaining to agricultural food imports.â€
In the eight months to August, the Philippines imported 130.81 million kilograms of meat from the US, with chicken, duck, and turkey products accounting for 89.58 million kilograms, or 68.48% of the total. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
