Philippines temporarily bans Malaysia horse imports

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a temporary ban on the importation of domestic wild horses and its products from Malaysia following an outbreak of disease in the neighboring country.

In a memorandum order issued by the Office of the Secretary, the DA instituted the ban of importation of domestic and wild horses, including semen and embryos, from Malaysia.

Based on the official report submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health, there was an outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS) in backyard reared horses in the state of Terengganu. The disease outbreak is continuing in Malaysia.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar issued an immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation of the application and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import clearance to the said commodities.

Dar said there would be a stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of the commodities into the Philippines by all DA veterinary quarantine officers at all major ports of entry.

The memorandum order was issued to prevent the entry of AHS virus and protect the health of the local equine population.

Under the Revised Administrative Code, the DA has the power to issue a general order preventing the entry of animals, animal effects, parts or products from any country with dangerous communicable animal disease.