The Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, as well as poultry products, from the states of Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin in the United States after reports of outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in the said areas.
The agency said in a statement on Wednesday DA Memorandum Order number 11, series 2025 signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. si on February 18 provides the prohibition against the importation of domestic and wild birds, including eggs, semen for artificial insemination, day-old chicks and other poultry products from the US states.
The DA said in that memorandum, US veterinary authorities have confirmed on February 3 reports of several outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in the four US states affecting domestic birds.
The DA added Tiu Laurel has directed the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to suspend the processing and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for the importation of domestic and wild birds from the four areas.
Shipments in transit or which arrived at local ports after the issuance of the DA order will only be allowed if they are slaughtered or produced 14 days before the first outbreak in each locality.
