MANILA – The Department of Agriculture has temporarily suspended the importation of poultry and other poultry products from the Netherlands following the reported outbreak of Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza, a government press release said.

In Memorandum Order No.20, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala ordered the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, including poultry meat, day old chicks, eggs and semen, from the European country to protect the Philippines’ local poultry population, as well as human health.

Based on the report of the Office International des Epizooties, the outbreak was discovered in free range laying hens in Utrecht, Netherlands.
The low pathogenic avian influenza virus was classified as serotype H5 and H7.

Avian influenza in its notifiable form can be divided into two categories – the high and low pathogenecity.
In line with the ban, Alcala ordered the immediate suspension of the processing and evaluation of the application and issuance of veterinary quarantine clearance on the importation of poultry products from that country.

Alcala also mandated the DA’s veterinary quarantine officers or inspectors in all major ports to halt and confiscate all shipments of poultry and poultry products from Mexico, the press release said.*

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