THE temporary ban on imported swine products and their by-products from Russia has been lifted, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced.
Memorandum Order 80, issued by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Dec. 23, noted a “low risk“ in importing pork products, including meat, from Russian zones covered by African swine fever (ASF) regionalization.
ASF regionalization is a strategy aligned with World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) standards that allows states to recognize specific ASF-free zones within an infected country, rather than banning all imports from that country, to continue trade with disease control.
A review and evaluation by the Philippine Bureau of Animal Industry showed Russia has enough veterinary oversight and the required control and mitigating measures against ASF, the DA said.
The respective chief veterinary officers of Russia and the Philippines have agreed on the terms and conditions of importation and ASF regionalization, the DA added.
The order is effective immediately and will remain in force unless revoked in writing.
Earlier this year, the DA also recognized the regionalization of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) or bird flu in Russia and lifted the temporary ban on its domestic and wild birds and their products, including day-old chicks, eggs, and semen.
