DA lifts ban on poultry shipments from Brazil

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will lift the ban on poultry imports from Brazil following the South American country’s declaration that it is bird flu-free.

“Yes, as long as they declare it with WOAH (World Organization for Animal Health),” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

Tiu Laurel said this in a Viber message, when asked if the agency will lift the import restriction.

According to the Embassy of Brazil in Manila, Brasilia has requested the Philippine authorities to lift the import ban on their poultry products.

The DA imposed the ban over a month ago following reports of a bird flu outbreak in Brazil.

Brazil declared itself free of the avian disease after its Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) reported to the WOAH that no additional outbreaks were recorded in any other commercial establishment. This followed a rigorous and exhaustive active surveillance effort.

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Last Wednesday, Brazil said there was no more highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry in the country. This was after the 28-day sanitary observation period lapsed without the detection of new cases.

Carlos Fávaro, Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, said they are “directly notifying countries” of the developments.