Philippines bans Taiwanese poultry imports

The Philippines has suspended imports of Taiwanese poultry and related products following reports of the presence of avian influenza at chicken farms in Taiwan.

At least one chicken farm, in Liujia, Tainan, has reported the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture has said. As a result, poultry and related products and wild birds from Taiwan will now be banned from entering the Philippines.

The officials said the Philippines is one of only a few Asian countries that are “avian flu-free”, a status which they hope to maintain to create more commercial opportunities for their country’s poultry industry, which grew by 4.34% last year.

Source: Focus Taiwan