PH Bans Swine, Cattle Imports from Hungary and South Korea Amid Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreaks

The Philippines has temporarily banned the importation of live swine, cattle, water buffaloes, and related animal products from Hungary and South Korea following confirmed outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in both countries.

In a statement on Friday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed two separate memorandum orders to enforce the ban. The decision came after Hungary reported FMD cases in domestic buffaloes on March 7 and South Korea reported similar cases in domestic cattle on March 18.

Both outbreaks were verified by veterinary authorities in each country and submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, pigs, and goats. It poses serious threats to livestock health and has significant economic implications for affected regions.

“We are imposing this ban to prevent the introduction of the FMD virus into the Philippines and to safeguard our vulnerable livestock population,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel.

The ban includes animal semen, meat, casing, tallow, hooves, and horns. However, exceptions apply for:

• Ultra-high temperature milk and its derivatives

• Heat-treated meat in hermetically sealed containers

• Protein meals, gelatin, and in vivo-derived bovine embryos

• Limed hides, pickled pelts, and semi-processed leather

Products from animals slaughtered or produced on or before February 17 for Hungary and February 27 for South Korea will be permitted if they test negative for FMD upon arrival.