14 Oct 2025

Philippines lifts import ban on New Zealand poultry

New Zealand’s HPAI clearance allows Philippine importers to resume poultry trade under DA regulations.

aviNews Asia

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The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted its temporary import ban on poultry products from New Zealand after the country was declared free of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

On October 9, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr issued an order authorizing the resumption of imports of domesticated and wild birds, poultry meat, day-old chicks, table eggs, and poultry semen.

The DA initially imposed the ban in January 2025 following reports of HPAI outbreaks in New Zealand. The lifting of the ban came after official confirmation from New Zealand authorities and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) that all reported cases had been resolved.

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries released a technical report in June 2025 confirming the containment of HPAI H5N1 outbreaks. The report noted that no new cases had emerged and that biosecurity measures had been reinforced.

Mr Laurel said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) assessed the risk of contamination from New Zealand poultry products and found it to be negligible.

Imports may resume under DA guidelines

The order allows imports of poultry products slaughtered or produced after October 9, provided they comply with existing DA rules and regulations. This move is expected to benefit Philippine food processors and retailers.

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Data from the BAI show that in 2024, the Philippines imported around 1284 tons of poultry meat from New Zealand. While the country is not among the Southeast Asia nation’s top poultry suppliers, its exports serve niche markets, including breeders stock and high-quality frozen meat.

Authorities emphasized that vigilance remains essential, and the DA will continue to monitor import sources and enforce sanitary protocols to prevent future outbreaks.

Last week, the Philippines also lifted poultry import bans on Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Kelantan and Sabah in Malaysia.

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