Cebu Implements Restrictions on Bird Entry to Protect Against Avian Influenza

Cebu – Governor Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu has issued an executive order to control the entry of game fowls, pet birds, and other live birds into the province amid concerns over Avian Influenza (AI). Executive Order No. 26, effective Tuesday, aims to safeguard the PHP12 billion poultry industry in Cebu from the AI outbreak confirmed by the Department of Agriculture in March 2022.

According to Philippines News Agency, the executive order, the restriction applies to live birds including day-old chicks, pullets, ducks, quails, and pigeons originating from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and other AI-affected countries. Owners of these birds are required to provide various documents, such as a veterinary health certificate, veterinary shipping permit, AI negative result via RT-PCR test, and a certification of ‘no AI infection’ from the area of origin. Those transporting wild birds must acquire a local transport permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Governor Garcia stated that the transport of domestic poultry products into Cebu is permissible, provided shippers present a meat inspection certificate from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and a veterinary shipping permit. For imported poultry meat, a certificate of meat inspection (COMI) from the NMIS is required, while processed and canned poultry products must have a license to operate and a certificate of product registration from the Food and Drug Administration.

The executive order also mandates that table eggs, salted eggs, and quail eggs be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate and a negative AI test through RT-PCR. Game fowl owners transporting embryonated and hatching eggs must present similar certifications, a shipping permit, a certification of Ultraviolet Light Disinfection from a veterinary quarantine officer, and an AI negative RT-PCR test result.

Imported live birds from AI-free countries may enter Cebu if accompanied by necessary documents, including sanitary and phytosanitary measures, import clearance, landing permit, notice of quarantine, and veterinary permit, with prior approval from the Office of the Governor and coordination with the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian. The order also specifies that all chicken dung must be dry, bagged, and covered for transport, and transshipment of live birds from AI-free areas in the Philippines is allowed.

Governor Garcia has mobilized the Barangay Animal Health Aides for monitoring and enlisted the assistance of the Philippine National Police in the province to enforce the order.