THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has banned the importation of live cattle and buffaloes, including related by-products, originating from Thailand, Russia, Libya and South Korea following reports of disease outbreaks.

Confirmed outbreaks of lumpy skin disease (LSD), which damages the affected animal's skin — making hides less valuable — or even cause death, prompted the imposition of the temporary ban on the entry of live animals and products such as milk, embryos, hides and semen.

Processing of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances was also suspended.

While there is no official record of imported meat and dairy products from Thailand, Russia, Libya and South Korea, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said "there is a need to prevent the entry of LSD virus to protect the health of the local cattle and buffalo population."

"More rigorous and tight inspection on all arrivals of milk and milk products, including embryos, skin and semen derived from cattle and buffalo including live animals by DA veterinary quarantine officers assigned at ports of entry shall be conducted," he added.

LSD fatalities are often low, but the economic impacts can be high, including decreased milk production and animal infertility.

Reports submitted by four countries to the World Organization for Animal Health from November to December 2023 confirmed outbreaks of the LSD virus.