WHEREAS, the US Department of Agriculture confirmed the occurrence of avian influenza in Gonzalez Country, Texas, USA;

WHEREAS, a flock of 7,000 birds tested positive for avian influenza by the national reference laboratory of the USA;

WHEREAS, the Philippines imports birds from the state of Texas;

WHEREAS, there is a need to prevent the entry of avian influenza to prevent the health of the local poultry population;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LUIS P. LORENZO, JR., Secretary of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby institute the following emergency measures:

1. Banning the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products, including day-old chicks, eggs and semen from Texas, USA.

2. Immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation and issuance of veterinary quarantine clearance/ international veterinary certificate/ import permit for applications relevant to the importation of the above-stated commodities from Texas, USA by the Bureau of Animal Industry.

3. Stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of poultry and poultry products into the country originating from Texas, USA by all DA Quarantine Officers/ Inspectors at all major sea/airports.

This ORDER shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 24 Feb. 2004


(SGD.) LUIS P. LORENZO, JR.
Secretary