PH bans cattle imports from Spain over lumpy skin disease

The Philippine government, through the Department of Agriculture (DA), has imposed a ban on the importation of live cattle and water buffalo, as well as embryos, semen, and raw hides from Spain.

The import ban was imposed following an outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the region of Catalonia, the DA said in a statement on Wednesday.

In issuing the directive, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said import restriction was a precautionary measure to prevent the entry of the virus into the Philippines and “to protect the health of the local cattle and water buffalo population.”

The DA said the ban was prompted by an official report from Spanish veterinary authorities to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), confirming the outbreak in domestic cattle on October 1.

Lumpy skin disease is a contagious viral disease that affects only cattle. 

It is primarily spread through biting insects such as flies and mosquitoes. 

While not transmissible to humans, LSD can cause significant economic losses in livestock operations. 

Infected animals may suffer from skin lesions, reduced weight and milk production, infertility, and damaged hides. Though the disease has a relatively low mortality rate, severe cases can still result in death.

To mitigate the risk, the DA said it will suspend the entry of all live bovine from Spain, including high-risk animal products such as semen, embryos, and unprocessed hides.

The Agriculture Department said that low risk commodities like processed products such as milk and dairy products, skeletal muscle meat, gelatin, collagen, tallow, casings, hooves, horns, processed hides, and blood-derived meat products will still be allowed, if supported with veterinary certification.

The agency added it will continue to monitor the situation and adjust import protocols as necessary to protect the country’s livestock sector. — BM, GMA Integrated News