DA bans import of birds, poultry products from New Zealand

Under DA Memorandum Order 01, the ban applies to domestic and wild birds, eggs, day-old chicks, semen, and poultry meat. (Pexels Photo)

By Stephanie Sevillano, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Wednesday the temporary import ban of domestic and wild birds, and other poultry products from New Zealand after the country reported an avian influenza (AI) outbreak in November 2024.

“(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,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement, about newly-issued Memorandum Order 01.

The order came after New Zealand officially reported positive results of an AI H7N6 strain from domestic birds tested in East Otago, Waitaki, and Canterbury in late November to the World Organization for Animal Health.

Under DA Memorandum Order 01, the ban applies to domestic and wild birds, eggs, day-old chicks, semen, and poultry meat.

The processing and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) of the said products is also suspended.

The entry of shipments that are already in transit, loaded, or at the ports before the ban may be allowed, provided that the products were produced or slaughtered before Nov. 9, 2024.