The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced an indefinite ban on the import of both wild and domestic birds from Belgium after an outbreak of bird flu was reported.

This directive follows Belgian veterinary authorities’ report to the World Organisation for Animal Health about an outbreak of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Sint-Niklaas, Oost-Vlaanderen, Flanders, Belgium, on 17 February, affecting domestic birds as confirmed by Sciensano.

Based on Memorandum Order No. 20 issued by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on 3 April,  the ban also covers avian products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen.

Likewise, processing and evaluation of applications for sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for the identified agricultural goods are immediately suspended.

Meanwhile, shipments from Belgium that were in transit, loaded, or accepted at the port before the official communication of the import ban will be allowed entry, provided the products were slaughtered or produced before 3 February.

Shipments not meeting these conditions will either be sent back to Belgium, shipped to a third country, or seized and destroyed. Non-compliant shipments, except for heat-treated products, will also be confiscated.