BRITISH Ambassador Laure Beaufils on Tuesday said the resumption of the United Kingdom's poultry trade with the Philippines via a regional agreement after three years indicates confidence, trust and a shared commitment to meeting consumer demand. Baufils issued the statement after the Department of Agriculture's (DA) Memorandum Order 34 allowing the importation of UK domestic and wild birds, and their products. In March 2021, the DA imposed a temporary import ban on poultry originating from the UK following the outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza. The UK has been the sixth-largest source of poultry imports to the Philippines. "UK-Philippine trade reached an all-time high of 2.8 billion pounds in 2023, with UK meat becoming the second-most exported commodity at 37.2 million pounds," Beaufils told reporters. "With UK poultry back on the menu, we anticipate significant growth in these figures." As a consequence, Beaufils said importers and traders have to get reacquainted with the UK market and suppliers to recognize the opportunity that is presented to them. The regionalization agreement ensures that trade with disease-free areas of the UK continues uninterrupted, even amid potential bird flu outbreaks. It specifies that farms, hatcheries and slaughterhouses in affected districts will be ineligible to export, while those in unaffected areas can proceed under strict health protocols. The ambassador cited the successful collaboration between the DA and UK authorities, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Department for Business and Trade for this development. "Their dedication to sharing knowledge and expertise is a testament to our countries' ability to work together on various issues, to achieve data-driven outcomes," she noted. Moreover, the British envoy reiterated their commitment in sharing best practices to maintain trust and confidence in agricultural trade. "To our valued traders and importers, we invite you to explore our roster of leading UK suppliers. Our Department for Business and Trade Team is here to support you in finding new suppliers or reconnecting with your trusted partners from the UK," Beaufils said.
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