Philippines lifts import ban on California poultry

The Philippines has lifted the ban on importing poultry from California, which was imposed over bird flu concerns.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it issued Department Circular No. 21, lifting the trade restriction, following reports from US veterinary authorities submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) confirming that “all HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) outbreaks in California have been resolved.”

The import restriction previously covered domestic and wild birds as well as products such as poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen.

“Lifting the import ban restores vital trade flows while protecting local agriculture. It ensures access to high-quality poultry products without compromising biosecurity,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

With the issuance of Department Circular No. 21, all import transactions from California will proceed according to existing rules and regulations.

The DA said the import ban’s removal is likely to stabilize poultry supply and prices, which experienced temporary fluctuations during the import halt.

It added that renewed imports from California could improve efficiency and competitiveness among Philippine poultry producers while maintaining strict biosecurity standards.

The DA said it would continue monitoring global HPAI developments and enforce stringent import protocols to safeguard the country’s poultry sector. — VBL, GMA News