DA temporarily bans PH importation of birds from California

Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO / CATHY MIRANDA

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has temporarily banned the importation of domestic and wild birds including game fowls from California in the United States following incidences of virulent newcastle disease (VND).

In a memorandum circular, the agency cited data from the country’s agriculture department confirming a number of VND cases in Southern California affecting backyard chickens. Cities that were affected include Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has also suspended the processing and evaluation of import permits from the mentioned state, including the transfer or shipment of any product from all its major ports.

“The interstate movement of game fowl poses risk to the spread or break out of diseases,” the circular said.

The country’s poultry industry is already valued at P100 billion, according to the circular, thereby stressing the importance of preventing the entry of VND into the country. /jpv