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.
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