Denied entry! PH bans poultry imports from UK

March 10 ------ Poultry imports from the United Kingdom (UK) have been temporarily banned by the Department of Agriculture (DA) after a widespread outbreak of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was recorded in the foreign country. Domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen are covered by the temporary importation ban.

It took effect last March 5. Under the temporary ban, the processing, evaluation of the application and issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary import clearance for the poultry imports are suspended. According to Agriculture Secretary William Dar, a report submitted by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in London to the World Organization for Animal Health in November 2020 reported that there was an outbreak of HPAI virus in South Derbyshire, England affecting birds.

“There is a need to prevent the entry of HPAI virus to protect the health of the local poultry population,” Dar said as the department issued DA Memorandum Order 76-2020 to impose a ban on poultry imports from the UK. The ban will remain enforced unless revoked, Dar added.

Source: mb.com.ph