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The Department of Agriculture suspended the imports of live swine, bovines, water buffaloes, and related animal products from Hungary and South Korea due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks
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In addition, a temporary ban was issued on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products from Turkiye following an outbreak of bird flu in that country
The Department of Agriculture has suspended the imports of live swine, bovines, water buffaloes, and related animal products from Hungary and South Korea due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in both countries, the agency said in a statement.
In addition, a temporary ban was issued on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products from Turkiye following an outbreak of bird flu in that country. The temporary import ban under memorandum order 17 covers poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen used for artificial insemination.
Under memorandum orders 16 and 18, imports of live swine, bovines, water buffaloes, and related animal products—including semen, skeletal muscle meat, casings, tallow, hooves, and horns—are suspended to prevent the potential spread of the highly contagious virus.
The FMD outbreaks were confirmed by veterinary authorities in Hungary (March 7) and South Korea (March 18) and officially reported to the World Organization for Animal Health.
“We are imposing the ban to prevent the entry of the FMD virus and protect the health of the FMD-susceptible animal population,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.
While the ban restricts most livestock imports, certain processed and heat-treated animal products remain exempt, including:
- Ultra-high temperature milk and dairy derivatives
- Heat-treated meat products
- Protein meal and gelatin
- In vivo-derived bovine embryos
- Limed hides, pickled pelts, and semi-processed leather
Additionally, animal products that were produced or slaughtered before February 17 (Hungary) and February 27 (South Korea) may still be imported, provided they test negative for FMD upon arrival in the Philippines.
