DA lifts ban on poultry imports from New Zealand

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the ban on the importation of domesticated and wild birds, including poultry products, from New Zealand.

This decision, formalized under Memorandum Order 62 signed by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., allows the resumption of shipments of poultry meat, day-old chicks, table eggs, and poultry semen.

The ban was initially imposed in January due to reports of an avian influenza outbreak in New Zealand.

The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has confirmed that all cases in New Zealand have been resolved with no new outbreaks recorded.

The DA's evaluation determined that the risk of contamination from these imports is negligible.

Import transactions for these commodities produced after the order's issuance may resume in accordance with existing DA rules and regulations.