Hanoi (VNA) – The Departmentof Agriculture (DA) of the Philippines announced on January 9 that the country hasbanned the import of poultry and poultryproducts, including wild birds, from Belgium and France due to the outbreak ofbird flu in these European countries.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said that the import bans imposed onthe European countries were necessary to prevent the possible entryof HPAI-H5N1 into the Philippines.
The Philippineswill immediately stop the acquisition of both domesticated and wild birds from thesecountries, Laurel said,adding that the indefiniteimport bans also prevent traders from bringing in Belgian and French poultryproducts including poultry meat, day-old chicks, hatching eggs, and poultrysemen into the Philippines starting January 8.
Belgium andFrance, which share aborder, almostsimultaneously reported bird flu outbreaks in domestic birds to the WorldOrganisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Belgium submitted its report on December1, 2023 while France on November 30, 2023.
Data shows that the Philippines’ import of poultry meat reached 426,620 metric tonnes valuedat over 418 million USD in 2023, up 3.78 % compared to 2022. France and Belgiumaccount for 0.01% and 0.59% of total imports, respectively./.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said that the import bans imposed onthe European countries were necessary to prevent the possible entryof HPAI-H5N1 into the Philippines.
The Philippineswill immediately stop the acquisition of both domesticated and wild birds from thesecountries, Laurel said,adding that the indefiniteimport bans also prevent traders from bringing in Belgian and French poultryproducts including poultry meat, day-old chicks, hatching eggs, and poultrysemen into the Philippines starting January 8.
Belgium andFrance, which share aborder, almostsimultaneously reported bird flu outbreaks in domestic birds to the WorldOrganisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Belgium submitted its report on December1, 2023 while France on November 30, 2023.
Data shows that the Philippines’ import of poultry meat reached 426,620 metric tonnes valuedat over 418 million USD in 2023, up 3.78 % compared to 2022. France and Belgiumaccount for 0.01% and 0.59% of total imports, respectively./.
VNA
