Ban on import of birds, poultry from Belgium, France lifted
THE temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds from Belgium and France has been lifted.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. has ordered the lifting after DA received reports that there have been no additional bird flu outbreaks in Belgium since Feb. 21 and in France since Feb. 24.
Laurel issued two separate memorandum orders to lift the import prohibition, including products like poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen in said countries.
Late last year, Belgium and France reported infections of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 strain, prompting DA to issue the import bans to protect the multi-billion-peso poultry industry as well as ensure food safety.
The memorandum orders were both signed April 11 and will take effect immediately.
