THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said it has lifted a temporary importation ban on domestic and wild birds and their products from New Zealand.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the lifting of the ban through the signing of Memorandum Order (MO) 62 on Oct. 9 — which superseded MO 1 issued in January following reports of an avian influenza or bird flu outbreak in the country.
MO 1 temporarily bans the importation of domestic and wild birds, and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, table eggs, and poultry semen for artificial insemination.
The ban was lifted after a report from New Zealand Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Mary Van Andel to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) showed all cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or bird flu in that country have ended with a resolved status. It added that there have also been no additional outbreaks since then.
Based on the provisions of Chapter 10.4 of the WOAH’s Terrestrial Animal Healthy Code, New Zealand is now considered free from HPAI.
Tiu Laurel said an assessment by the Bureau of Animal Industry also found that the risk of contamination from New Zealand poultry and their products is now negligible.
The DA is thus allowing the resumption of the importation of the aforementioned commodities from New Zealand, but subject to existing import rules and regulations.
The order is effective immediately and remains in place unless revoked in writing.