DA suspends livestock imports from 7 countries over FMD

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Sunday announced a temporary suspension on the importation of live animals and certain animal products from seven countries in the Middle East and Europe following outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Under Department Circular No. 39, the Philippines will prohibit the entry of live swine, cattle, water buffaloes and other FMD-susceptible animals, as well as fresh skeletal muscle meat, casings, tallow, hooves, horns and animal semen from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait and Palestine.

“The Philippines has worked hard to protect its livestock sector from devastating animal diseases. Acting swiftly against emerging risks is essential to safeguarding food security, protecting farmers' livelihoods and preserving public confidence in our food supply,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.

The DA said the suspension was prompted by an official report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization confirming outbreaks of the FMD virus serotype SAT1 in the affected areas.

“We are taking a science-based and precautionary approach. While we remain committed to facilitating safe trade, protecting the health of our livestock industry must always come first,” Tiu Laurel said.

The DA clarified that products classified as “safe commodities” by the World Organisation for Animal Health will still be allowed into the country, provided they meet stringent import requirements and veterinary standards.

These include ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk and dairy products, heat-treated canned meat, protein meal, gelatin, and certain processed hides and leather products.

The DA also said veterinary quarantine officers have been deployed at Philippine ports to enforce the restrictions.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, goats, sheep and buffaloes. The DA said the disease does not pose a food safety risk to humans.— MCG, GMA News