DA Lifts Bird Import Ban on New Zealand as Avian Influenza Outbreak Is Resolved
The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Monday that it has lifted the temporary ban on importing domesticated and wild birds, as well as poultry products, from New Zealand. The move follows the resolution of the avian influenza outbreak that had prompted the earlier restrictions.
In a formal advisory, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the signing of Memorandum Order 62, which authorizes the resumption of imports from New Zealand. The ban had been in place since January amid reports of avian influenza activity in the country. With the WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) confirming that all cases had been resolved and no new outbreaks reported, the pathway is open for renewed trade in poultry and related products.
Under the new order, import transactions for the specified commodities may resume in accordance with existing DA rules and regulations. The resumption covers:
- Poultry meat
- Day-old chicks
- Table eggs
- Poultry semen used for artificial insemination
Secretary Laurel emphasized that the decision is contingent on ongoing compliance with established health and safety standards. The DA’s framework requires that all shipments meet the country’s import requirements, veterinary health certificates, and monitoring protocols to prevent any reintroduction of avian diseases into local poultry populations.
Industry stakeholders should note that the order allows resumption specifically for products that are slaughtered or produced after the issuance of Memorandum Order 62. This stipulation helps ensure a clear demarcation between prior stocks and new consignments aligned with current health assurances.
The New Zealand avian influenza episode had prompted suppliers and buyers to seek clarity on timelines and safeguards. The DA’s decision signals confidence in the country’s enhanced biosecurity measures and its cooperative engagement with international animal health authorities. The Philippines has repeatedly stressed the importance of importing only from vetted sources with robust disease-control programs, a cornerstone of its poultry import policy.
Analysts say this move could help stabilize supply chains and potentially support pricing for poultry products in the local market, especially if demand from processors and retailers picks up as imports resume. However, the DA also remains vigilant, underscoring that any new surveillance findings or outbreaks abroad would be reviewed promptly and could trigger adjustments in import policy.
The resumption aligns with efforts to diversify import sources while maintaining stringent safeguards against animal diseases. Officials indicate that ongoing dialogue with WOAH and other international partners will continue to reinforce the reliability of health certifications and traceability in poultry trade.
Farmers and traders are encouraged to stay updated with the DA’s advisories, particularly for updates on inspection procedures, cold-chain integrity, and quarantine measures that accompany new shipments. The public can expect further communications if there are any developments that affect import flows or health risk assessments.
What This Means for the Poultry Sector
The reinstatement of New Zealand as an approved source for poultry products is a notable development for the sector. It expands the pool of suppliers for poultry meat, eggs, and genetics, which could help meet domestic demand and support production targets. The move also highlights the importance of international cooperation in animal health—an area that requires constant vigilance given the global nature of food supply chains.
As the industry navigates post-pandemic and post-outbreak recovery, the DA’s regulatory stance aims to balance market access with upholding high health standards. Stakeholders should monitor the implementation of Memorandum Order 62 and ensure compliance with the DA’s import rules to smoothly benefit from restored trade with New Zealand.
