Market reopens as Dutch poultry ban ends

The Philippines has reopened its market to poultry and other related products from the Netherlands after recognizing a regionalized approach to managing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Department Circular 05 lifting the temporary ban and restoring market access for domestic and wild birds and related products. Covered items include poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen, provided these originate from certified disease-free zones.

The decision followed a technical review by the Bureau of Animal Industry, which evaluated the Netherlands’ veterinary controls and outbreak response measures. The agency found that Dutch authorities maintain adequate surveillance and biosecurity systems, lowering the risk of disease transmission.

Under the regionalization framework, trade restrictions apply only to affected areas rather than the entire country, provided veterinary authorities demonstrate robust containment and monitoring protocols.