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Laws & Policies

Temporary Ban on the Importation of Domestic and Wild Birds and their Products Including Poultry Meat, Day Old Chicks, Eggs and Semen Originating From Japan

Date Posted : 17 January 2024 

Effectivity : The Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain enforced unless revoked in writing.  

Ban on importation of products from Japan 

Based on the official report submitted by the Chief Veterinary Officer, Director, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on 28 November 2023, there was an outbreak of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Kashima City, Saga Prefecture last 24 November 2023 affecting domestic birds as confirmed by the National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH). Thus, there is a need to prevent the entry of HPAI virus to protect the health of the local poultry population. 

Accordingly, the Order is issued to institute the following emergency measures for the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products from Belgium: 

  1. Banning the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen; 
  2. Immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation of the application, and issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) import clearance to the above-stated commodities; 
  3. All shipments coming from the mentioned areas of the United States of America that are IN TRANSIT/LOADED/ACCEPTED UNTO PORT before the official communication of this Order to the American authorities shall be allowed provided that the products were slaughtered/produced 14 days before the first outbreaks in the particular locality; 
    1. California’s first outbtreak in this event (Fresno County) – 20 Novmber 2023 
    2. Ohio’s first outbreak in this event (Union Country) – 21 November 2023 
  4. Shipments which have not complied with the conditions set forth in Item 3 shall be dealt with as per DA AC 06 S. 2022 ARTICLE VI, Section III; and
  5. Stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of the above-stated commodities (with the exception of heat-treated products) into the country by all Veterinary Quarantine Officers/Inspectors at all major ports of entry. 

 Repeal : All orders inconsistent herewith are deemed revoked. 

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