DA bans importation of California poultry

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has banned the importation of domestic and wild birds, poultry products and by-products from California due to bird flu.

- By BELLA CARIASO

As this developed, the DA lifted the import ban it imposed on pork and pork products from Sweden as the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) has been contained.

Meanwhile, a farmers' group asked the DA to suspend the importation of carabao meat or carabeef from areas in India affected by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order (MO) 54 prohibiting the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen from California.

He said a report submitted by the deputy administrator and chief veterinary officer of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on Oct. 25 showed additional outbreaks of H5 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza in California affecting domestic birds.

Tiu Laurel said processing, evaluation of application and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance for affected commodities are suspended.