(UPDATE) The Department of Agriculture has lifted the ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, including poultry products, from Denmark nearly two years after it was imposed, according to a DA news release Friday.
This comes a day after a media release announcing that the DA imposed a temporary ban on the importation of the same products from Japan and Austria due to reported outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
In a memorandum order no. 50 issued on Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that the temporary import 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 Denmark had been resolved, and no additional outbreaks had been reported since September 12, 2024
The DA imposed the temporary ban in December 2022 on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen, following reports of an avian flu outbreak in Denmark. The ban was enacted to protect both consumers and the local poultry industry.
Secretary Tiu Laurel said that the latest order would take effect immediately, but emphasized that all import transactions must comply with the Department’s regulations and guidelines concerning agricultural food imports.
In separate memorandum orders also issued on Tuesday, Tiu Laurel announced the temporary import ban on Japan and Austria following reports of HPAI outbreaks. The ban aims to safeguard the local poultry industry from the risks of animal health threats.
Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries reported an outbreak of the H5 subtype of bird flu in Atsuma, Hokkaido, to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) on November 5, 2024. The outbreak, which occurred on October 16, 2024, affected domestic birds.
On the other hand, Austria’s Vice-President of the Regional Commission reported to WOAH an outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu subtype in Mattighofen, Braunau am Inn, Oberosterreich. The outbreak, which was confirmed on October 7, 2024 by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, had affected domestic birds as well.
Secretary Tiu Laurel explained that the memorandum orders were issued to protect the local poultry industry from potential animal and public health risks.
“The poultry industry is a major investment and job generator, and a vital component in ensuring the country’s food security,” he said. “It is incumbent upon us to ensure that the local poultry population is not unduly placed at risk from highly infectious diseases.”
As part of the import ban, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has been directed to cease issuing sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for domestic and wild birds, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen for artificial insemination of hens.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, as well as poultry products, from Austria and Japan due to reported outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), according to a DA news release.
In separate memorandum orders issued on Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the temporary import ban on both countries following reports of HPAI outbreaks. The ban aims to safeguard the local poultry industry from the risks of animal health threats.
Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries reported an outbreak of the H5 subtype of bird flu in Atsuma, Hokkaido, to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) on November 5, 2024. The outbreak, which occurred on October 16, 2024, affected domestic birds.
Meanwhile, Austria’s Vice-President of the Regional Commission reported to WOAH an outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu subtype in Mattighofen, Braunau am Inn, Oberosterreich. The outbreak, which was confirmed on October 7, 2024 by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, had affected domestic birds as well.
Secretary Tiu Laurel explained that the memorandum orders were issued to protect the local poultry industry from potential animal and public health risks.
“The poultry industry is a major investment and job generator, and a vital component in ensuring the country’s food security,” he said. “It is incumbent upon us to ensure that the local poultry population is not unduly placed at risk from highly infectious diseases.”
As part of the import ban, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has been directed to cease issuing sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for domestic and wild birds, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen for artificial insemination of hens.
