PH Bans Birds and Poultry Imports from Michigan Due to Bird Flu

The Philippines has banned the importation of birds and poultry products from Michigan, USA, following an outbreak of bird flu in the state.

Details of the Ban

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order No. 24 on June 7. This order immediately suspends the importation of domestic and wild birds, along with associated products such as poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from Michigan.

The ban was prompted by an official report from the US Chief Veterinary Officer to the World Organization for Animal Health, confirming the presence of the H5N1 subtype of avian influenza in Michigan. This report was validated by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, on March 29.

Response and Regulations

The DA noted the rapid spread of the virus, which led US authorities to broaden trade restrictions to protect the local poultry population in the Philippines.

Shipments from Michigan that are already in transit or were loaded and accepted at ports prior to the official communication of the order will be permitted, provided they were processed or produced 14 days before the initial outbreak report. However, the DA warned that non-compliant shipments could face confiscation, destruction, return to the country of origin, or redirection to a third country.

Bilateral Agreement

The Agriculture Department also referred to a bilateral agreement between the Philippines and the US established in 2016. This agreement mandates a state-wide ban if three or more counties are affected by avian flu, emphasizing collaborative efforts to control the disease’s spread and safeguard poultry populations.