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The Department of Agriculture lifted the temporary ban on poultry imports on seven countries after confirming they are now free from avian influenza
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The seven are New Zealand, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Sweden, Malaysia (specifically Kelantan and Sabah)
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The lifting covers live domestic and wild birds, including those for pets and zoos
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The DA assessed that the risk of infection is now negligible, allowing import resumption under existing sanitary and phytosanitary protocols
The Department of Agriculture (DA) lifted the ban on poultry imports from seven countries after confirming they are now free from avian influenza.
The seven are New Zealand, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Sweden, Malaysia (specifically Kelantan and Sabah).
Under Memorandum Order No. 62-2025, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. lifted on October 9 the temporary ban on the importation of domesticated and wild birds, including poultry products, from New Zealand. Tiu Laurel authorized the resumption of imports such as poultry meat, day-old chicks, table eggs, and poultry semen used for artificial insemination.
The DA initially imposed the ban in January after reports of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in New Zealand.
“New Zealand is now free from HPAI,” Tiu Laurel declared. He cited official reports submitted by New Zealand authorities to the World Organisation for Animal Health confirming that all reported HPAI cases had been resolved, with no new outbreaks recorded.
The memorandum emphasized that, based on the DA’s assessment through the Bureau of Animal Industry, 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,” the Secretary added.
Earlier, the DA in separate memorandum orders also signed by Tiu Laurel authorized the resumption of poultry imports, including live domestic and wild birds, and birds intended for pets or zoos, from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Malaysia (specifically Kelantan and Sabah).
The importation of approved commodities will remain subject to sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.
The DA said the move supports efforts to stabilize poultry supply chains, particularly amid rising demand and the country’s continuing economic growth.
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