TEMPORARY BAN ON THE IMPORTATION OF DOMESTIC AND WILD BIRDS AND THEIR PRODUCTS INCLUDING POULTRY MEAT, DAY OLD CHICKS, EGGS AND SEMEN ORIGINATING FROM NORTH KOREA

WHEREAS, North Korea, on Sunday, March 27, 2005, confirmed a bird flu outbreak at a couple of chicken farms in Pyongyang;

WHEREAS, Japan has banned poultry imports from North Korea following a reported bird flu outbreak in Pyongyang;

WHEREAS, the said farms had slaughtered and buried hundreds of thousands of chickens infected by Avian Influenza;

WHEREAS, there is a possibility that some travelers may bring in pet birds from North Korea;

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, ARTHUR C. YAP, Secretary of Agriculture, by the powers 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 North Korea;

2. 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 North Korea by the Bureau of Animal Industry;

3. Stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of poultry and poultry products into the country originating from North Korea by all DA Quarantine Inspectors/Officers at all major sea/air ports.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 29 March 2005

(SGD.) ARTHUR C. YAP
Secretary