MANILA, Philippines — To protect the multi-billion peso local livestock industry, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has officially imposed a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals and their products from Greece.
The move, formalized through Memorandum Order No. 24 signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, comes as a preemptive strike following reports of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in the Hellenic Republic.
The ban is immediate and covers a wide range of agricultural products to prevent the virus from entering Philippine borders. The restricted items include:
- Live Animals: All domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals (such as cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep).
- Meat Products: Fresh, frozen, chilled, and processed meat derived from these animals.
- Biologicals: Semen, embryos, and other animal secretions.
- Exceptions: Processed products that have been treated to a degree that inactivates the FMD virus may still be allowed, provided they meet strict sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements.
FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals. While it is not a direct threat to human health, it can have devastating economic consequences for farmers.
- Symptoms: Infected animals typically develop fever followed by blisters (vesicles) on the tongue, lips, and feet.
- Transmission: The virus spreads rapidly through contact with infected animals, contaminated feed, equipment, or even the clothing of handlers.
- Economic Impact: An outbreak can lead to mass culling, decreased milk production, and long-term trade bans from international markets.
Secretary Tiu Laurel has directed the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to strictly monitor all ports of entry.
- VPA Rejection: The DA has ordered the immediate suspension of the processing and issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSIC) for meat coming from Greece.
- In-Transit Goods: All shipments that were already in transit or loaded before the official announcement will be subjected to rigorous inspection and may be confiscated or returned to the point of origin if they fail safety protocols.
- Status of the Philippines: The Philippines currently maintains its status as an “FMD-free zone without vaccination” (recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health), a designation critical for the country’s ability to export meat products globally.
Industry analysts suggest that the ban will have a minimal impact on local meat prices. Greece is not a major supplier of meat to the Philippines, which primarily relies on imports from Brazil, the United States, and Spain for its pork and beef requirements.
“We cannot afford to take risks when it comes to the biosecurity of our livestock sector. This temporary ban is a necessary measure to ensure that the Philippines remains FMD-free and that our local farmers are protected from external disease threats.” — Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
