The Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of live swine, bovines, and water buffaloes (family Suidae, Bovidae and Cervidae), including semen, skeletal muscle meat, casing, tallow, hooves, horns from South Korea and Hungary due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).

FMD is a severe and highly contagious disease that affects livestock, causing significant economic impact. Animals susceptible to the virus include cattle, swine, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. signed separate memorandum orders imposing the ban after reported FMD cases in domestic buffaloes in Hungary on March 7 and in domestic cattle in South Korea on March 18. Both cases were confirmed by veterinary authorities in the respective countries and reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

“We are imposing the ban to prevent the entry of the FMD virus and protect the health of the FMD-susceptible animal population,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel.

Exemptions from the ban include ultra-high temperature milk and derivatives, heat-treated meat products in hermetically sealed containers, protein meal, gelatin, in vivo-derived bovine embryos, and limed hides, pickled pelts, and semi-processed leather.

Products from animals slaughtered/produced on or before February 17 for Hungary, and February 27 for South Korea, and tested negative for FMD upon arrival will also be allowed entry. ### (Photo by DA-BAI)