Philippines bans poultry imports from Japan due to bird flu

Feb 5, 2007, 15:51 GMT

Manila - The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on imports of all poultry products and live birds from Japan after an outbreak of bird-flu there, an official said Monday.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the ban covers all domestic and wild birds and their products, including day-old chicks and semen from Japan.

Yap said the decision to impose the ban was based on a January 13 report of Japan to the Office International des Epizootes (OIE) admitting that there was 'a highly pathogenic strain' of bird flu virus there.

'There is a possibility that travelers may bring in pet birds and its products from Japan,' he said in a statement. 'I have ordered Department of Agriculture quarantine officers in all major airports and seaports to stop and confiscate all shipments of poultry and poultry products into the country originating from Japan.'

The agriculture department said the Philippines, Brunei and Singapore are the only countries in South-East Asia which have not reported avian flu contamination.

The government has allocated 122.8 million pesos ( 2.5 million dollars) for 2007 for the implementation of the country's Avian Influenza Protection Programme.