MANILA, Philippines – Nagpataw ng moratorium ang pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng Department of Agriculture (DA) sa pag-aangkat ng poultry products jula sa midwestern state ng US na Indiana dahil sa mga outbreak ng avian influenza.
Sa pahayag nitong Sabado, Marso 14, sinabi ng DA na nag-isyu si Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ng import restriction, agarang pagbabawal sa shipment ng poultry meat, day-old chicks, itlog, at semen na nagmula sa naturang estado.
Sinabi ng DA na inisyu ang import ban kasunod ng kumpirmadong mga outbreak ng highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza strain sa Indiana.
“Indiana has breached that threshold, according to official reports submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH),” ayon sa DA.
“The import ban immediately suspends the processing and issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSICs) for the covered commodities. Previously approved SPS clearances for live birds are automatically revoked,” it dagdag pa.
Samantala, sinabi na ang mga kargamento na nasa biyahe na, naikarga o natanggap na sa pantalan bago ang effectivity ng circular ay maaari pa ring makapasok sa Pilipinas “provided the products were slaughtered or produced on or before January 30.”
“All non-compliant shipments will be confiscated or dealt with under existing quarantine regulations.”
“Veterinary quarantine officers across major ports have been instructed to enforce strict inspection and stoppage protocols,” dagdag pa. RNT/JGC
