The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, including poultry products, from The Netherlands, according to the department’s news release late June.
The import ban, which also covered poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen, was imposed in December after Dutch veterinary authorities confirmed an outbreak of H5 (N untyped) Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on November 17 in Putten, Gelderland, affecting domestic birds.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order 31 lifting the ban, following the World Organization for Animal Health’s declaration that the Netherlands is now free from avian influenza. Additionally, no new outbreaks have been reported since May 16, 2025.
“Based on the evaluation of the Department of Agriculture, the risk of contamination from importing live poultry, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen is negligible,” according to the memorandum.
The order takes effect immediately and shall remain in force unless formally revoked. All conflicting directives are considered rescinded.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the DA to diversify the country’s meat and protein sources to safeguard food security amid rising global and domestic animal health threats.
