GOV. Gwendolyn Garcia has issued another executive order (EO), this time EO 14, to extend the ban on the entry of all poultry meat products from Luzon, Mindanao and other areas affected by the Avian Influenza (AI) virus into Cebu island.
Effective Tuesday, May 24, 2022, the entry into the province of wild birds and live poultry, including day-old chicks, day-old pullets, ready-to-lay pullets, ducks, quails, game fowls, pigeons and pet birds from Luzon, Mindanao and other AI-affected areas or countries is strictly prohibited.
The ban under EO 14, issued on May 23, 2022, is indefinite.
On March 8, 2022, Garcia issued EO 9, s. of 2022, banning the importation of poultry products from Luzon for 45 days due to the threat of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 or bird flu.
The Department of Agriculture also issued memorandum circular nos. 6 and 12 last March 7, 2022 and April 6, 2022, respectively, implementing the movement restrictions in poultry and related commodities throughout the country.
Garcia said the EO is meant to protect the P12 billion poultry industry in Cebu, which remains free of bird flu.
But live birds coming from AI-free areas may enter Cebu, subject to the submission of regulatory documents.
Under EO 9-A, issued last April 8, poultry meat products and eggs are allowed entry to Cebu subject to additional regulatory documents. This EO extended the ban on live poultry from Luzon for another 45 days and included live poultry from Mindanao.
Importation of poultry products from AI-free nations is also allowed. Transshipment of live birds from AI-free provinces or areas will be allowed if done within the seaport or airport area or vicinity.