PH lifts ban on importing birds, poultry from Denmark

Philippines lifts ban on importing birds, poultry from Denmark

The Philippines has lifted the ban on importing birds and poultry products from Denmark following the resolution of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in the country.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) issued Memorandum Order No. 06, Series of 2023, lifting the ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds (chickens, ducks, quails, turkeys, geese, and pigeons) and their products, including poultry meat, eggs, and semen, from Denmark.

Timeline of events

The Philippines imposed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry products from Denmark in August 2022 due to the outbreak of HPAI in the country.

In January 2023, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) declared Denmark free from HPAI, paving the way for the lifting of the ban.

The BAI conducted a risk assessment and determined that the risk of introducing HPAI into the Philippines through the importation of poultry products from Denmark is now negligible.

Conditions for importation

The importation of birds and poultry products from Denmark will be subject to the following conditions:

• The poultry products must come from HPAI-free compartments or establishments.
• The poultry products must be accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate.
• The poultry products must be inspected by BAI quarantine officers upon arrival in the Philippines.

The lifting of the ban is expected to benefit the poultry industry in the Philippines, as it will allow the importation of high-quality poultry products from Denmark.