The Department of Agriculture has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of both domestic and wild birds from New Zealand following reports of an avian influenza outbreak in that country.

In a memorandum order No. 01, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed that tests conducted by the New Zealand National Animal Health Laboratory on domestic birds from East Otago, Waitaki, and Canterbury in late November yielded positive test results for H7N6 strain of high pathogenicity avian influenza.

The outbreak has been officially reported by New Zealand authorities to the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Secretary Tiu Laurel said the ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, as well as eggs, day-old chicks, semen, and poultry meat, is crucial in preventing the entry of high pathogenic avian influenza into the Philippines, safeguarding the health of the local poultry population.

The poultry industry, including egg production, is a multi-billion-peso sector that supports significant investments, creates numerous jobs, and plays a vital role in ensuring the country’s food security.

As part of the ban, Secretary Tiu Laurel ordered the immediate suspension of processing, evaluation, and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for these items from these areas from New Zealand. However, shipments already in transit, loaded, or accepted at ports before the official communication of the ban will be allowed entry, provided the products were slaughtered or produced before November 9, 2024.

Quarantine authorities have been instructed to confiscate different poultry commodities cited in this Memorandum Order. ###