THE Philippine government, through the Department of Agriculture (DA), has lifted its temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds from US states Iowa and Minnesota.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the order lifting the ban on the importation will take effect immediately and remain in force until revoked.
The previous ban, imposed since last year, covered poultry, poultry products, and by-products including day-old chicks and hatching eggs from the two US states.
The temporary ban was issued due to an outbreak of avian influenza in Iowa and Minnesota.
Tiu Laurel said the lifting of the ban was based on the official report of the US veterinary authorities to the World Organization of Animal Health that all affected counties in Iowa and Minnesota had been free of the highly pathogenic avian influenza cases since January 10, 2024.
The US is a major source of poultry products for the Philippines.
The US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has reported that in 2023 it shipped to the Philippines $180.5 million worth of poultry meat and products, excluding eggs. (GMA Integrated News)
