The Department of Agriculture has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds from Iowa and Minnesota, which was imposed last year due to an outbreak of avian influenza in the two U.S states.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the order lifting the ban on the importation from the two US states of live poultry, poultry products, and by-products including day-old chicks and hatching eggs will take effect immediately and remain in force until revoked.

The agriculture chief said decision was based on the official report of  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 this year.

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 USD180.5 million worth of poultry meat and products, excluding eggs. ###