THE Philippine government has imposed a temporary ban on poultry meat imports from Brazil following the confirmation of a bird flu outbreak in the South American nation. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the ban during a Palace press briefing on Monday.
Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of chicken, confirmed its first-ever outbreak of avian influenza on a poultry farm last Friday. The announcement prompted immediate action from the Philippines to protect its domestic poultry industry and safeguard public health.
Secretary Laurel emphasized the government’s commitment to preventing the entry of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus into the country. He stated that the ban will remain in effect until the Brazilian government can provide assurances that the outbreak is contained and that its poultry products are safe for consumption.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will be working closely with Brazilian authorities to monitor the situation and assess the risk to the Philippines. Stricter quarantine measures at ports of entry will also be implemented to prevent the smuggling of contaminated poultry products.
The ban is expected to impact the supply of imported poultry meat in the Philippines, although the DA assures consumers that there is sufficient domestic supply to meet local demand. The agency is also exploring alternative sources of poultry imports to mitigate any potential shortages.
The DA urges the public to remain vigilant and report any unusual bird deaths or illnesses to the nearest agricultural office. Consumers are also advised to purchase poultry products only from accredited and licensed establishments to ensure food safety. The government will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
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