DA bans poultry imports from New Zealand due to bird flu

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has indefinitely banned the importation of domestic and wild birds from New Zealand due to a bird flu outbreak.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed on Wednesday in Memorandum Order (MO) No. 01 that tests conducted by the New Zealand National Animal Health Laboratory on domestic birds from East Otago, Waitaki, and Canterbury in late November showed positive results for the H7N6 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

“The outbreak has been officially reported by New Zealand authorities to the World Organisation for Animal Health,” the MO added.

Under the order signed on Monday, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from New Zealand are prohibited from entering the Philippine market. The Agri chief also ordered the immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation of applications, and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import certificates for these commodities.

Meanwhile, meat shipments from New Zealand that were in transit, loaded, or accepted into port before the official communication of the order to New Zealand authorities are allowed entry into the country, provided that the products were slaughtered or produced on or before 9 November 2024. Shipments that do not meet these conditions will be dealt with accordingly, said the DA.

The order is effective immediately.