MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of poultry and related products from France, following assurances from French authorities that the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak has been fully contained.

In a memorandum order issued by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., the DA cited an official report from France’s veterinary authorities to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), confirming that all reported HPAI cases had been resolved, with no additional outbreaks recorded after February 4, 2025.

The Philippines initially imposed restrictions on French poultry imports—including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen—due to last year’s avian flu outbreak in France. 

However, after an assessment by the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), officials determined that lifting the ban would be safe and beneficial for trade.

The move is expected to ease supply constraints and trade tensions while supporting the local poultry industry, which had been affected by the import restrictions. 

Despite the policy shift, the DA stressed that stringent quarantine measures and monitoring protocols would remain in place to safeguard the country’s biosecurity.