Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, as well as their by-products, from Belgium due to concerns over the spread of the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu. This decision was made in an effort to prevent a similar outbreak within the country.

According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has issued Memorandum Order No. 20, which highlights the necessity of safeguarding the local poultry industry from the HPAI virus. The ban encompasses various by-products including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen. Additionally, the order mandates the suspension of processing and evaluation of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) for these products from Belgium.

The memorandum specifies that only shipments containing poultry products slaughtered or produced on or before February 3 will be permitted for transit, loading, and entry from Belgium. Shipments that were already in transit, loaded, or accepted at the port before the official communication of the import ban will also be allowed entry, provided the products meet the specified criteria regarding their production date.

Shipments that do not comply with these requirements will either be returned to their country of origin or will face seizure and destruction in a third country. The decision follows the confirmation of an avian influenza outbreak in Sint-Niklaas, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaanderen, by Belgian veterinary authorities on February 17, which was subsequently reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Prior to this ban on Belgium, the DA had also issued temporary bans on poultry imports from Trkiye, several states in the United States including Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Maryland, Missouri, and South Dakota, as well as regions in New Zealand such as East Otago, Waitaki, and Canterbury.