WHEREAS, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the occurrence of avian influenza on a farm in British Columbia;

WHEREAS, about 16,000 birds in the farm were destroyed because they were susceptible;

WHEREAS, the Philippines imports birds from Canada;

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 British Columbia, Canada.

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 British Columbia, Canada by the Bureau of Animal Industry.

3. Stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of poultry and poultry products into the country originating from British Columbia, Canada 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