DA lifts ban on poultry imports from Belgium

THE Department of Agriculture has lifted its temporary ban on poultry imports from Belgium after Philippine veterinary authorities concluded that the European nation had established sufficient safeguards against High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI).

The DA issued a department circular no. 25 that formally recognized Belgium’s regionalization protocols for bird flu, allowing the resumption of imports of domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from [BILATERALLY-RECOGNIZED FREE] zones. The move widens the DA’s options in stabilizing local poultry supply and strengthening food security amid persistent inflationary pressures.

The suspension of importation of Belgian poultry products had been imposed last year, following concerns over avian influenza outbreaks. The latest order came after the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) completed a review of Belgium’s disease-control measures and veterinary oversight systems.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the decision reflects the government’s “science-based and risk-calibrated” approach to protecting both consumers and the domestic poultry industry.

“Our priority remains safeguarding Philippine agriculture, while ensuring stable and affordable food supply for Filipino consumers,” Tiu Laurel said. “The recognition of Belgium’s regionalization measures demonstrates that disease management can be approached with precision rather than blanket restrictions. We are opening trade only after rigorous technical evaluation confirmed that the identified zones maintain strong veterinary controls and present [NEGLIGIBLE] risk to local poultry health,” he added.

He added that the move would help secure supply chains for poultry products and breeding materials without compromising biosecurity standards.