Ban lifted on import of live birds, poultry products from New Zealand

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted its temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, as well as poultry products, from New Zealand after confirming the country’s clearance from avian influenza.

In Memorandum Order No. 62 signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday, the DA said the lifting takes effect immediately following the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (WOAH) declaration that all previous cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in New Zealand have been resolved, with no new outbreaks reported.

The DA’s evaluation found that the risk of contamination from importing live poultry, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from New Zealand is now negligible.

With the order in effect, all import transactions covering domestic and wild birds and related products from New Zealand may resume immediately, the agency said.

Prior to this, the DA had also lifted import restrictions on birds and poultry products from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, and Sweden, as well as from Kelantan and Sabah in Malaysia, following similar clearance from avian flu cases.

The move is expected to boost supply stability and support the poultry industry’s recovery efforts amid fluctuating domestic production and global trade challenges.