DA lifts temporary ban on Japan poultry imports 

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday announced that it has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds from Japan after it was declared free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

According to DA Department Circular No. 40, risk assessment showed that the transmission of the disease through the Japanese poultry imports, which includes day-old chicks and hatching eggs, is now considered negligible.

"We will never compromise the health of our poultry industry, but we also recognize the importance of keeping reliable supply channels open when science tells us the risk has been effectively eliminated," said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in a statement.

"Lifting the ban supports food security by ensuring access to quality breeding materials, strengthens the competitiveness of our poultry sector, and demonstrates that sound animal health measures can protect both public health and agricultural production,” he added.

But the DA noted that the lifting of the importation ban does t mean that biosecurity measures will be relaxed. The department said veterinary inspections, quarantine protocols and import requirements will remain in place. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RSJ, GMA News