TEMPORARY BAN ON THE IMPORTATION OF DOMESTIC AND WILD BIRDS AND THEIR PRODUCTS INCLUDING POULTRY MEAT, DAY-OLD CHICKS, EGGS AND SEMEN ORIGINATING FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

[ DA MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 10, S. 2002, OCTOBER 18, 2002, October 18, 2002 ]

TEMPORARY BAN ON THE IMPORTATION OF DOMESTIC AND WILD BIRDS AND THEIR PRODUCTS INCLUDING POULTRY MEAT, DAY-OLD CHICKS, EGGS AND SEMEN ORIGINATING FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

WHEREAS, the US Department of Agriculture, based on a report submitted to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) last October 3, 2002, has confirmed an outbreak of Newcastle disease (ND) in California, USA;

WHEREAS, the Philippines imports poultry and poultry products from the USA;

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

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOCELYN I. BOLANTE, Officer in Charge of the Department of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby institute emergency measures banning the importation of the ND-susceptible animals, their meat, meat products and by-products originating from California, USA to the Philippines and prescribe the following:

1.         Immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation and issuance of Veterinary Quarantine Clearance/SPS Import Permit for applications relevant to the importation of the above-stated commodities from California, USA by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI);

2.         Stoppage and confiscation of all shipments into the country of affected products originating from California, USA by all DA Veterinary Quarantine Officers/Inspectors at all major sea/air ports; and

3.         The BAI director may issue guidelines for the effective implementation of this memorandum order.

This ORDER shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 18 October 2002

(SGD.) JOCELYN I. BOLANTE
Officer in Charge