The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has temporarily banned imports of poultry and poultry products from Argentina. This decision follows a confirmed outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Buenos Aires.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr said the ban was necessary as the H5N1 subtype poses a serious risk to both poultry and public health.
Restrictions
The ban, issued on September 5, covers both domestic and wild birds from Argentina. It also includes poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen for artificial insemination.
The Philippine Bureau of Animal Industry was ordered to immediately suspend all applications and the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for Argentinian poultry products.
The DA noted that avian influenza outbreaks have already costs the Philippine poultry over USD 17 million and thousands of jobs. On September 10, Camarines Sur, which was hit by the H5N9 virus in April, regained its AI-free status.
Bataan declared AI-free
In a separate development, the DA has declared the province of Bataan free of avian influenza. This comes three years after the province first reported outbreaks of the H5N1 subtype.
Surveillance showed no new infections in previously affected areas. The virus hit duck farms in the province in 2023, followed by a quail farm in 2024.
To contain the outbreaks, authorities enforced stamping out, quarantine, and disinfection. They also conducted blood sampling and virus testing.
The DA warned that the declaration may be revoked if new cases emerge, noting that H5N1 remains a major threat to poultry and rural livelihoods.