THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry products from Ohio and California in the United States following avian influenza or bird flu outbreaks.

In a memorandum order, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said restricting the entry of domestic and wild birds and their products from the two states was necessary to prevent the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), particularly the H5N1 subtype.

"The rapid spread of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the United States of America in a short period of time since its first laboratory detection necessitates a wider coverage of trade restriction to prevent the entry of HPAI virus and protect the health of the local poultry population," he said.

Reports submitted by the United States Department of Agriculture to the World Organization for Animal Health in December 2023 confirmed outbreaks of bird flu in California and Ohio.

In line with this, the importation of domestic and wild birds, and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen have been prohibited until further notice.

The processing, evaluation and issuances of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances were also suspended.

Shipments already in transit and were slaughtered or produced 14 days before the first bird flu outbreak in the locality will be allowed. The first bird flu outbreak in California was recorded on Nov. 20, 2023. For Ohio, it was Nov. 21, 2023.

Data from the DA's Bureau of Animal Industry showed that the US shipped 149.46 million kilograms (kg) of poultry meat to the Philippines from January to November 2023. This was 37.9 percent of the total poultry imports last year.

In terms of the overall meat imports, the US was the country's second-top source, delivering about 203.48 million kilos.

Brazil remained as the biggest supplier of meat imports, shipping 369.38 million kg or 33.11 percent of the country's total meat imports.

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