The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the ban on domestic and wild birds, including poultry products from the state of Michigan in the United States.
In a memorandum order issued on Monday, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., said the temporary import ban was lifted after US veterinary authorities reported to the World Organization for Animal Health that cases of the high pathogenicity avian influenza in Michigan has been resolved.
The order added that no new cases have been reported in Michigan after July 12, 2024.
The order takes effect immediately but DA noted that all import transactions must adhere to all rules and regulations pertaining to agricultural food imports.
Last June, the DA imposed the temporary import ban on domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen after receiving reports about the avian flu outbreak in Michigan.
DA said such import ban was needed to protect consumers and the local poultry industry.
Based on data from the Bureau of Animal Industry, US is among the country’s suppliers of imported meat.
From January to August this year, the US supplied the Philippines with a total of 130.81 million kilograms (kg) of imported meat.
The said volume is equivalent to 14.4 percent of the 907.77 million kg of total imported meat that entered the country for the period.
