PH bans importation of animals, animal products from Slovakia due to FMD

The Philippine government is prohibiting the entry into the country of animals and animal-derived products from Slovakia following the confirmation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) cases in domestic cattle in the European country.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order No. 21, temporarily banning the importation of live swine, bovines, and water buffaloes, as well as related products like semen, skeletal muscle meat, casings, tallow, hooves, and horns from Slovakia.

This came after Slovak veterinary authorities reported the FMD outbreak to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on March 2, 2025, specifically in Dunajskd Streda, Trnavsky.

In issuing the importation ban, Tiu Laurel said the order aims to prevent the spread of the FMD virus and protect the health of animals susceptible to the disease, including swine and ruminants such as cows, carabaos, and goats.

WOAH classifies the Philippines as an FMD-free country, according to the DA.

The Agriculture Department said certain products from Slovakia will still be allowed to be imported, such as ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk and its derivatives, heat-treated meat products in hermetically sealed containers, protein meal, gelatin, in vivo-derived bovine embryos, limed hides, pickled pelts, and semi-processed leather.

“Shipments that were already in transit, loaded, or accepted into port before the official communication of the order to Slovak authorities will be allowed entry, provided that the products were slaughtered or produced on or before March 6, and have been tested negative for FMD upon arrival at the port of entry,” the DA said.

The Agriculture Department has also suspended the processing, evaluation, and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for the affected products. —VBL, GMA Integrated News