DA Secretary lifts ban on poultry imports from Brazil

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, including poultry products, from Brazil, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said in a news release.

The DA initially imposed the ban on May 19 following an outbreak of avian influenza in the South American nation.

In Memorandum Order 35, Secretary Tiu Laurel announced the lifting of the ban—which also covers poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen—after Brazilian veterinary authorities reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) that the outbreak had been resolved.

No new cases have been recorded since June 18, he added.

Citing the guidelines of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Secretary Tiu Laurel declared that Brazil is now considered free of avian influenza.

He added that an evaluation conducted by the DA, through the Bureau of Animal Industry, found the risk of contamination from importing poultry and related products from Brazil to be “negligible.”

The order takes effect immediately and will remain in force until further notice.

Brazil is one of the world’s largest poultry exporters, reportedly accounting for a third of global chicken trade.

By resuming imports from Brazil, the DA aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to diversify the country’s sources of imported agricultural products. The move aims to strengthen food security and reduce the risks associated with relying too heavily on a limited number of suppliers.