PHL bans poultry imports from China

April 26, 2013 5:54pm



The government has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry and poultry products from China because of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Shanghai.

In a memorandum order dated April 17, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H7N9 Avaian influenza in poultry in Shanghai and neighboring regions on the Eastern seaboard.

"There is a need to prevent the entry of pathogenic virus causing Avian flu to protect the health of the local poultry population," Alcala said in the memorandum order.

He said quarantine officials should also be cautious of travelers who may bring poultry and poultry products from China.

Covered by the ban are domestic and wild birds and their products, including day-old chicks, eggs, and semen.

The Bureau of Animal Industry is tasked to immediately suspend the processing, evaluation, and issuance of veterinary quarantine clearance or international veterinary certificate import permit for the importation of these commodities from China.

All shipments of poultry and poultry products from China shall also be confiscated by Agriculture quarantine inspectors stationed in major sea and air ports.

Bird flu has reportedly killed around 23 people in China since the outbreak sometime in March.  — KBK, GMA News