DA lifts ban on poultry imports from Poland

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the ban on the importation of chicken and other poultry products from Poland after imposing a prohibition amid the outbreak of avian influenza in that country.

Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban issued Memorandum Order No. 60 allowing the resumption of importation of domestic and wild birds and their products including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen originating from Poland.

Panganiban had issued a temporary ban due to the outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

“Based on the official report of Poland in the World Organization for Animal Health, all HPAI reported events in Poland have ended with resolved status and no additional outbreaks were reported,” Panganiban said, adding that Poland is now free from bird flu.

He added that based on the evaluation of the DA, the risk of contamination from importing poultry meat, day old chicks, eggs and semen is negligible.

“This order is hereby issued to lift the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen originating from Poland. All import transactions of the commodities shall be in accordance with existing rules and regulations of the DA,” Panganiban added.