Philippines Lifts Ban on U.S. Poultry Imports

The Philippines has lifted its import ban on birds and poultry from California and South Dakota, citing no new bird flu outbreaks since June. The ban, imposed due to H5N1 avian influenza, had been in place since January and November last year for the two states respectively.

The Philippines has lifted its ban on importing domesticated and wild birds, including poultry products, from California and South Dakota, the country's farm ministry announced on Saturday.

The ministry cited the absence of new bird flu outbreaks in both states since early June as the reason for lifting the ban.

The import ban was initially imposed in January on California and in November last year on South Dakota following outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, which led to the mass deaths of infected birds and poultry.

(With inputs from agencies.)