Hanoi (VNA) -The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a temporary ban on theimport of domestic and wild birds and their products from the US following anavian virus outbreak in South Carolina.
The office said an official report submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health affirmed therewas an outbreak of H7N3 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in the state's Chesterfield County that affects turkeys.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar issued an immediate suspension of the processing,evaluation of the application and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS)import clearance to the said commodities.
Dar said there would be a stoppage and confiscation of allshipments of the commodities into the Philippines by all DA veterinaryquarantine officers at all major ports of entry.
All incomingpoultry shipments with SPS import clearance issued on or before April 14 willbe allowed provided that frozen poultry meat has a slaughter or process date of21 days prior to the HPAI outbreak on or before March 19.
VNA