WHEREAS, based on the report submitted by Dr. Kwo-Ching Huang, Chief Veterinary Officer and Deputy Director General, Bureau of Animal and Plant Inspection Quarantine, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan,to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) an occurrence of Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) has been detected in the Chinese Taipei (Taiwan);

WHEREAS, low pathogenic avian influenza (serotype H2N2) has been detected in a farm in Fang Yuan township, Chang-Hua;

WHEREAS, travelers may bring in birds and its products from the Chinese Taipei (Taiwan);

WHEREAS, there is a need to prevent the entry of LPAI virus to protect the health of the local poultry population;

NOW, THEREFORE, I , ATTY. ARTHUR C. YAP, Secretary of the Department 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, including day-old chicks, eggs and semen from Chinese Taipei (Taiwan);

2. Immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation of the application and issuance of Veterinary Quarantine Clearance (VQC) to import the above-stated commodities from Chinese Taipei (Taiwan);

3. Stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of poultry and poultry products into the country originating from the Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) by all DA Veterinary Quarantine Officers/Inspectors at all major ports.

This Order shall take effect immediately.
 
Adopted: 26 Jan. 2010
 
(SGD) ATTY. ARTHUR C. YAP
Secretary