RP sets temporary ban on poultry, wild birds from Arkansas, UK, Haiti

By Jennifer A. Ng

THE Philippines imposed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and wild birds, from the United Kingdom, Haiti and Arkansas, United States, following the detection of the avian influenza (AI) in their farms.

Manila imposed the temporary ban on poultry products from Arkansas after a low pathogenic avian influenza (serotype H7N3) has been detected in a poultry farm in the state. The virus affected broiler chickens.

Meanwhile, the temporary ban on poultry and wild birds from Haiti was imposed following the discovery of low pathogenic avian influenza (serotype H5N2) in Centre, Carca La source; Nord, Cap Haitian and Sud, Miragoane in Haiti affecting poultry for human consumption, backyard poultry, turkey and fighting cocks.

The temporary ban on poultry products and wild birds from the United Kingdom was reimposed by the Philippine government following the detection of the highly pathogenic avian influenza type H7N7 in laying poultry farm in Shenington, Oxfordshire, England. The temporary ban on the United Kingdom was lifted on October 10, 2007.

“There is a need to prevent the entry of avian-influenza virus to protect the health of the local poultry population,” said Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap in explaining the issuance of the temporary ban.

The Philippines imports live poultry and its products from the United Kingdom. The US is also a major source of poultry products from the Philippines, specifically chicken-leg quarters.

While the country does not import chicken products from Haiti, Yap said the temporary ban needs to be imposed to ensure that travelers will not bring in pet birds and other wild birds from the country.

With the temporary ban in place, the Bureau of Animal industry will no longer process, evaluate and issue Veterinary Quarantine Clearances (VQCs) to importers who wish to source their products from the three areas.

Yap also ordered the stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of poultry and poultry products into the country originating from the UK, Haiti and Arkansa, US, by all DA veterinary quarantine officers/inspectors at all major ports.

The Philippines is among three Asian countries that have not contracted the dreaded AI virus. To ensure that the AI virus will not enter the country and infect the local poultry population, the government imposes a temporary ban on countries where the AI was reported.

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RP sets temporary ban on poultry, wild birds from Arkansas, UK, Haiti

THE Philippines imposed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and wild birds, from the United Kingdom, Haiti and Arkansas, United States, following the detection of the avian influenza (AI) in their farms.

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