TEMPORARY BAN ON THE IMPORTATION OF DOMESTIC AND WILD BIRDS AND THEIR PRODUCTS INCLUDING POULTRY MEAT, DAY-OLD CHICKS, EGGS AND SEMEN ORIGINATING FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA,…

WHEREAS, the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the occurrence of avian flu in the State of Pennsylvania, USA, starting December 2001;

WHEREAS, type H7N2 virus was identified as causing low pathogenic type of the avian influenza outbreaks in the said US state;

WHEREAS, as indicated in the OIE Manual, H7N2 virus could develop to highly pathogenic avian influenza;

WHEREAS, the Ministry of Agriculture of Japan imposed a ban on poultry and poultry products from USA;

WHEREAS, the Philippines imports poultry and poultry products from the USA;

WHEREAS, there is a need to prevent the entry of pathogenic virus causing avian flu to protect the health of the local poultry population;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LEONARDO Q. MONTEMAYOR, Secretary of Agriculture, by the power vested in me by law, do hereby institute the following emergency measures:

1. Banning the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products, including day-old chicks, eggs and semen from the state of Pennsylvania USA;

2. Banning the importation of poultry meat from birds slaughtered in Pennsylvania, starting from December 1, 2001 onwards;

3. Immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation and issuance of Veterinary Quarantine Clearance/International Veterinary Certificate Import Permit for applications relevant to the importation of the above-stated commodities from the state of Pennsylvania, USA by the Bureau of Animal Industry;

4. Stoppage and confiscation of all shipments into the country of suspected/affected products originating from the state of Pennsylvania, USA by all DA Veterinary Quarantine Officers/Inspectors at all major sea/air ports.

This ORDER shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 30 January 2002