MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted its temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds, including poultry products, from the Netherlands, following confirmation that the country is now free from avian influenza.

The ban, which included poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen, was imposed in December 2024 after Dutch authorities reported an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5 in Putten, Gelderland on November 17.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order 31 revoking the ban after the World Organization for Animal Health declared the Netherlands free from the disease and no new outbreaks have been reported since May 16, 2025.

“Based on the evaluation of the Department of Agriculture, the risk of contamination from importing live poultry, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen is negligible,” the order stated.

The lifting of the ban takes effect immediately and will remain valid unless revoked. All conflicting directives are now considered rescinded.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DA to diversify the country’s meat and protein sources as part of efforts to secure the nation’s food supply amid rising threats from animal-borne diseases.