The Philippines has officially lifted its ban on importing domestic and wild birds, including poultry products, from Brazil after authorities declared the South American country free of avian influenza.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order No. 35, reversing the restrictions imposed on May 19 due to a bird flu outbreak in Brazil. The ban previously covered poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and poultry semen.
The decision follows a report submitted by Brazilian veterinary authorities to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), confirming that the outbreak had been resolved, with no new cases detected since mid-June. Based on WOAH guidelines, the Philippines now recognizes Brazil as free from avian influenza.
An assessment conducted by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry also determined that the risk of virus transmission through poultry imports from Brazil is minimal.
The order is effective immediately and will remain valid until further notice.
As one of the world’s largest poultry exporters—accounting for roughly a third of global chicken trade—Brazil plays a crucial role in the international food supply chain. Reopening trade with Brazil supports the Philippine government’s goal to diversify import sources, enhance food security, and reduce dependence on a narrow set of foreign suppliers.
