Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued a temporary ban on importing domestic and wild birds as well as poultry products from Indiana, New York and Pennsylvania in the United States due to outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain.
The ban, implemented through Memorandum Order 14 signed on March 4, 2025, aims to protect the local poultry industry, which supports jobs, attracts investment, and ensures food security.
The memorandum cited multiple H5N1 outbreaks confirmed by US veterinary authorities as of Feb. 20, 2025.
Tiu Laurel said the virus’ rapid spread warranted stricter trade restrictions to prevent its entry into the Philippines.
The ban covers poultry meat, eggs, day-old chicks, semen, and related products from the affected states.
The order also suspended the processing, evaluation, and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for these commodities.
Shipments already in transit, loaded, or accepted before the ban’s official communication may be allowed if the products were slaughtered or produced at least 14 days before the first outbreak in each state.
The first outbreaks were reported on Jan. 3 in Indiana’s Jay County, Jan. 17 in Suffolk County in New York and Feb. 4 in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
Shipments that fail to meet the conditions will be confiscated by veterinary quarantine officers at major ports of entry.
The ban takes effect immediately and will remain in place until officially lifted, the DA said.
