D.A. issues import ban on animal products from Slovakia

Department of Agriculture (Photo courtesy of DA / Pixabay)

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

Following the imposition of a temporary import ban on avian products from Belgium, the Department of Agriculture (D.A.) has issued a moratorium on the importation of animals and animal-derived products from Slovakia following the confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) cases in domestic cattle in the European country. 

Slovak veterinary authorities reported the FMD outbreak to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) on March 2, specifically in the town of Dunajskd Streda, Trnavsky.

In a statement on Tuesday, April 8, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. explained that his issuance of Memorandum Order No. 21, s. 2025 serves as a precautionary measure to protect the health of swine and ruminants such as cows, carabaos, and goats in the Philippines.

Said measure is intended to shield the domestic dairy industry from contamination brought about by the importation of live swine, bovines, and water buffaloes, as well as related products like semen, skeletal muscle meat, casings, tallow, hooves, and horns from an FMD-affected nation.

However, certain products will still be allowed to be imported, including ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk and its derivatives, heat-treated meat products in hermetically sealed containers, protein meal, gelatin, in vivo-derived bovine embryos, limed hides, pickled pelts, and semi-processed leather.

Shipments that were already in transit, loaded, or accepted into port before the official communication of the order to Slovak authorities will be allowed entry, provided that the products were slaughtered or produced on or before March 6, and have been tested negative for FMD upon arrival at the port of entry.

iro

Popular

PBBM cites efforts to build ‘future-ready’ PH

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency The Philippines will be “future-ready” through fair taxation, relief for workers and measures to ease the cost...

PBBM champions early childhood education

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday distributed 35 school bags and a Starlink unit in La Paz Child Development Center (CDC)...

PBBM welcomes expansion of Bulacan cold storage facility

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. touted the expansion of the Royale Cold Storage (RCS) facility in Bulacan as a welcome development in...

Palace: PBBM wants to boost defense to protect PH territory

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is pushing for stronger defense to protect Philippine territory, particularly in the...