China poultry products banned in PH – DA

Department of Agriculture ordered the temporary ban of importation of poultry and poultry products from China because of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Shanghai and neighboring regions on the eastern seaboard.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said in a memorandum order dated April 17 that China's Ministry of Health has confirmed the presence of the bird flu that killed around 23 people in China since the outbreak in March.

The Bureau of Animal Industry shall immediately suspend the processing, evaluation and issuance of veterinary quarantine clearance or international veterinary certificate import permit of all shipments of poultry and poultry products, such as domestic and wild birds and their products, from China in major sea and airports.

Agriculture quarantine inspectors will also seize these goods to prevent entry of the virus in the Philippines.