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).
The DA in a statement Thursday said Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel in separate memorandum orders (MOs) issued on Tuesday 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. The outbreak, which occurred on October 16, affected domestic birds.
The DA said 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 by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, had affected domestic birds as well.
As part of the import ban, the Bureau of Animal Industry 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.
