MANILA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of domesticated and wild birds, including poultry products, from New Zealand, the country's Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Monday.
In a memorandum, Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel ordered the lifting of the import freeze following the resolution of recent avian influenza (HPAI) cases in New Zealand.
The Philippines initially imposed the ban in January after reports of an avian influenza outbreak in New Zealand.
"New Zealand is now free from HPAI," said Tiu Laurel, citing the DA's assessment that the risk of contamination from importing poultry and related products is now considered negligible.
"Import transactions for the specified commodities, slaughtered or produced after the issuance of this order, may resume in accordance with existing DA rules and regulations," Tiu Laurel said. ■
