Importation of Birds and Poultry Products from Japan and Austria Banned by D.A.
Ban on Importation of Birds and Poultry Products from Japan and Austria
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has banned the importation of live birds, poultry meat, and their by-products from Japan and Austria due to the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in these countries.
Reason for the Ban
The ban is a precautionary measure to prevent the entry of HPAI into the Philippines and protect the country's poultry industry. HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease that can spread rapidly among birds and cause significant economic losses.
Affected Products
The ban covers all live birds, poultry meat, and their by-products from Japan and Austria. This includes chicken, duck, turkey, quail, and other domesticated and wild birds, as well as their eggs, feathers, and manure.
Exemptions
The ban does not apply to the following products:
- Cooked poultry products in hermetically sealed containers
- Pet birds that have been tested and certified to be free of HPAI
- Poultry products for scientific or research purposes with prior approval from the DA
Enforcement of the Ban
The DA has ordered the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to strictly enforce the ban at all ports of entry in the Philippines. Shipments of live birds, poultry meat, and their by-products from Japan and Austria will be confiscated and destroyed.
Cooperation from the Public
The DA urges the public to cooperate with the ban and report any suspected cases of HPAI to the nearest BAI office. The department also reminds poultry farmers to practice good biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
