Import ban on bird, poultry from Belgium lifted — DA

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Thursday that it has lifted the ban on importing domestic and wild birds, including poultry products from Belgium.

In a statement, the DA said the lifting was done following confirmation that the recent avian flu outbreak in the European country has been fully contained.

In his Memorandum Order No. 30, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the lifting of the import ban comes after Belgian veterinary authorities formally declared the outbreak resolved, with no new bird flu cases reported after February 28. 

The certification from Belgium, Tiu Laurel said, complies with the guidelines set by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

“Belgium is now free from HPAI and the risk of contamination from importing domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen is negligible,” said the Agriculture chief.

The DA said the decision allows the resumption of trade with one of Europe’s key poultry producers, restoring a reliable supply line for the Philippines while maintaining strict biosecurity standards.

The trade restriction was originally imposed due to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in Sint-Niklaas, Oost-Vlaanderen on February 17. 

It was a precautionary measure aimed at protecting local poultry industries from potential viral transmission.

The DA said import ban was initially imposed to protect the poultry industry, which plays a critical role in the country’s food security, job creation, and investment generation within the agricultural sector. — Ted Cordero/RSJ, GMA Integrated News