THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said it lifted a temporary ban on imports of poultry and by-products from the US state of Ohio.
In Memorandum Order No. 23, the DA said it lifted the ban following an official report by the US government to the World Organization for Animal Health.
“This order is hereby issued to lift the temporary ban on the importation of live poultry, poultry products, and by-products including day-old chicks and hatching eggs originating from the State of Ohio, and shall be in accordance with existing rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture,” the DA said.
In January, the DA froze poultry imports from Ohio after Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or Bird Flu was detected in the state.
The import ban had included domestic and wild birds, along with their associated products such as poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from Ohio.
“All affected counties of Ohio reported that HPAI cases have been resolved with no additional outbreaks after April 2,” the DA said.
In 2016, the Philippines and US veterinary authorities agreed that a statewide ban can be imposed if three or more counties are affected by the virus.
“This clearance from the US veterinary authorities provided the necessary assurance for the Department of Agriculture to lift the import ban, allowing the resumption of trade in domestic and wild birds including poultry products from the State of Ohio,” it added. — Adrian H. Halili
