The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the temporary import ban on poultry products originating from Iowa and Minnesota in the United States.

In a memorandum order dated March 21, 2024, the department said that the entry or importation of live poultry, poultry products, and by-products including day-old chicks and hatching eggs originating from Iowa and Minnesota are now allowed as there are no cases of avian influenza (AI) in the two states.

The Philippines imposed DA Memorandum Order (MO) 69 series of 2023, issued in November last year, banning the importation of the said products from Iowa.

In the case of Minnesota, the ban was imposed through the MO 73 Series issued in December.

"All affected counties of Iowa and Minnesota reported the closure of high-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) cases has ended with resolved status and no additional outbreaks after, 20 December 2023 and 10 January 2024," the DA said in the memo.

The department said the lifting of the bans was supported by the official report of US Veterinary Authorities to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

Supporting documents were also submitted by the Chief Veterinary Authorities of the US showing that there were no additional outbreaks of the animal disease.

The DA added that state-wide trade restrictions shall only be imposed if there are three or more US counties affected by HPAI.

According to the DA's Bureau of Animal Industry, the US shipped 130.50 million kilograms (kg) of chicken meat, 94,657 kg of duck meat, and 211,648 kg of turkey meat into the country from January to October 2023.

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