WHEREAS, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Korea , based on a report submitted to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) last 12 December 2003, has confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI);

WHEREAS, there is a possibility that some travelers may bring in pet birds from the Republic of Korea;

WHEREAS, there is a need to prevent the entry of pathogenic virus causing avian flu to protect 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 the Republic of Korea;

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 the Republic of Korea by the Bureau of Animal Industry .

3.      Stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of poultry and poultry products into the country originating from the Republic of Korea by all DA Veterinary Quarantine Officers/inspectors at all major sea/air ports.

This ORDER shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 19 Dec. 2003


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