Imported poultry safe for consumption

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) released statements Tuesday assuring public that imported poultry products are still safe for consumption.

This came following the government’s imposition to ban the import of poultry products and by-products from Mexico due to a reported outbreak of bird flu in said country. Memorandum Order No. 14, dated July 3, was reportedly released in order to protect local poultry industry as well as human health.

But Dr. Bemes Mondea, DA regional head, said his office has yet to receive any copy of an order coming from the national office to refrain from importing wild birds, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen from Mexico.

Reports said the World Organization for Animal Health was alarmed of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Mexico.

The Agriculture department said that avian flu with serotype H7 was detected by Mexico’s Agricultural service in three commercial farms in that country, reports further revealed.

Avian flu, according to report, is a contagious viral disease affecting food-producing birds such as chickens, turkeys, and quails, as well as wild and domesticated birds.

Mondea reiterated further that the public has nothing to worry with the reported outbreak, as the Philippines imports poultry products from Europe.

“I will be retiring, but as far as I know, we (Philippines) are importing directly from Europe because their products are reliable. They develop quality kinds of poultry products,” he added.

In Northern Mindanao, about 35 percent to 40 percent of the poultry products are imported from Europe.