Philippines Halts Bird and Poultry Imports from New Zealand Due to Avian Flu Outbreak

MANILA – In response to an avian influenza outbreak reported in New Zealand in November 2024, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, as well as various poultry products from the country. This decision was made public on Wednesday, aiming to protect the local poultry industry from the threat of high pathogenic avian influenza. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the importance of this measure in a statement related to the newly issued Memorandum Order 01. The outbreak, identified as the H7N6 strain, was confirmed in domestic birds in the East Otago, Waitaki, and Canterbury regions of New Zealand, and was officially reported to the World Organization for Animal Health. The ban, detailed in DA Memorandum Order 01, covers a wide range of products including eggs, day-old chicks, semen, and poultry meat. Additionally, the processing and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for these products have been suspended. However, shipments that were already in transit, loaded, or at the ports before the ban was announced may still be allowed entry, provided they were produced or slaughtered prior to November 9, 2024.