The Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of all commodities derived from foot and mouth disease (FMD) susceptible animals, their products and byproducts from Slovakia.
The agency said in a statement on Tuesday, Memorandum Order no. 21 series of 2025 signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on April 3, 2025, ordered the prohibition against the importation of such products and commodities.
Tiu Laurel said in the order that based on the official report submitted by Dr. Martin Chudy, chief of veterinary services, State Veterinary and Food Administration, and delegate of Slovakia to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) on March 21, 2025, there were cases of FMD virus in Dunajska Streda, Trnavsky, Slovakia in domestic cattle.
The DA chief said there is a need to prevent the entry of the FMD virus to protect the health of local FMD-susceptible animal populations which include swine and ruminants such as cows, carabaos and goats.
The Philippines is currently considered by the WOAH as FMD-free country.
Tiu Laurel also directed the suspension of the processing and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for the importation of said commodities from Slovakia.
The order detailed the ban will specifically cover skeletal muscle meat, casings, tallow, hooves, horns as well as live swine, bovines and water buffaloes including their semen.
However, products such as ultra-high temperature milk and derivatives, heat-treated meat products in a sealed container, protein meal, gelatin, in-vivo derived bovine embryos, limed hides, pickled pelts and semi processed leather from Slovakia will still be allowed.
DA added that disallowed products from Slovakia may still be exempted from the import ban, provided they have been slaughtered on or before March 6, 2025 and tested negative for FMD virus upon arrival at the port of entry.
According to data from the Bureau of Animal Industry, the Philippines have not imported any type of meat from Slovakia in 2024.
DA’s monitoring of public markets as of Monday showed the prevailing per kg retail price of beef rump is at P400 to P510 and beef brisket at P320 to P460.
