Commentary: Ban on Canada birds underscores thrust to keep RP avian flu free
Tacloban City (October 12) -- In an effort to keep the Philippines bird flu free, the Department of Agriculture imposed a temporary ban on the entry of domestic and wild birds, poultry and its products from Canada.
This move underscores the government's thrust of really keepingThe temporary ban which was made through a memorandum issued on October 3 was imposed following a reports of an Avian Influenza virus in Canada.
The ban covers domestic and wild birds and their products including day-old chicks, eggs and semen, the Department of Agriculture clarified.
The immediate suspension of the issuance of veterinary quarantine clearances (VQCs) to all imports covering these products from Saskatchewan, Canada has been implemented, the Department of Agriculture announced.
Based on a report by the world animal health organization Office International des Epizooties (OIE), the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus or H7N3 virus was detected in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada.
The Department of Agriculture has ordered the stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of poultry and poultry products into the country originating from Saskatchewan by all veterinary quarantine officers or inspectors at all major ports.
Earlier, the Department of Agriculture has imposed a similar ban on all live bird and poultry imports from the states of Nebraska and Virginia in the US, Korea and the United Kingdom.
The Philippines has remained free of bird flu ever since the bird flu virus strain resurfaced in Asia in 2003. It is one of only three Avian Influenza-free countries in Southeast Asia, the two others being Brunei and Singapore.
It is important to keep the Philippines bird flu free as an outbreak will mean the downfall of the poultry industry in the country and will greatly affect the health of the Filipino people. (PIA 8) [top]
