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).

In separate memorandum orders issued on Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. 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, 2024. The outbreak, which occurred on October 16, 2024, affected domestic birds.

Meanwhile, 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, 2024 by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, had affected domestic birds as well.

Secretary Tiu Laurel explained that the memorandum orders were issued to protect the local poultry industry from potential animal and public health risks. “The poultry industry is a major investment and job generator, and a vital component in ensuring the country’s food security,” he said. “It is incumbent upon us to ensure that the local poultry population is not unduly placed at risk from highly infectious diseases.”

As part of the import ban, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) 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. ###