WHEREAS, based on the final report submitted by Taipei, China to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) last 21 April 2004, it has completely eradicated the H5N2 subtype of avian influenza in 24 premises in 8 prefectures;

WHEREAS, based on the extensive surveillance in the 3-km-radius-buffer zone around the index flock, has not detected any evidence of the virus since March 9, 2004;

WHEREAS, based on the evaluation of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the risk of contamination from importing poultry and poultry products from Taiwan is negligible;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARTHUR C. YAP, Secretary of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby lift the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products including poultry meat, day old chicks, eggs and semen originating from Taiwan.

All import transactions of the above products shall be in accordance with the existing rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry and National Meat Inspection Commission (DA-BAI-NMIC).

All orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

This ORDER shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 31 Aug. 2004


(SGD.) ARTHUR C. YAP
Secretary