PH Bans Poultry Imports from Three US States Due to Bird Flu Outbreak

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a temporary ban on poultry imports from Indiana, New York, and Pennsylvania due to outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain.

Trade Restrictions to Protect Local Poultry Industry

In Memorandum Order 14, issued on March 4, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the suspension of poultry trade from the affected US states. The ban covers:
✔ Domestic and wild birds
✔ Poultry meat
✔ Eggs
✔ Day-old chicks
✔ Semen and other poultry products

The goal is to protect the local poultry sector, which plays a vital role in food security, employment, and investments.

Why the Ban?

US veterinary authorities confirmed outbreaks of the H5N1 strain in these states:

• Indiana: First outbreak on January 3 (Jay County)
• New York: First outbreak on January 17 (Suffolk County)
• Pennsylvania: First outbreak on February 4 (Dauphin County)

“The rapid spread of the virus necessitated wider trade restrictions to prevent its entry into the Philippines,” said Tiu Laurel.

What Happens to Shipments in Transit?

The DA will allow shipments already in transit if they meet these conditions:
✔ Loaded, accepted, or produced at least 14 days before the first outbreak in each affected state.
✔ Non-compliant shipments will be confiscated by veterinary quarantine officers at major ports.

Ban Effective Immediately

The poultry import ban takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

This move follows previous import restrictions on poultry products from other regions affected by bird flu.