MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds from several countries previously affected by avian influenza outbreaks.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. signed several memorandum orders allowing the resumption of poultry imports of live birds—both domestic and wild, including those for pets and zoos—from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Sweden, and the Malaysian states of Kelantan and Sabah.

The DA earlier imposed the ban following reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in those areas. However, the department said all reported cases have been resolved, with no new outbreaks recorded, prompting the government to reopen its borders to poultry shipments from these countries.

Based on official reports from concerned veterinary authorities and an assessment by the Bureau of Animal Industry, the DA said the risk of importing poultry from the affected areas has been deemed negligible.

The lifting of the ban covers live domestic and wild birds, which will now be allowed entry into the Philippines subject to existing sanitary and phytosanitary regulations.

“All import transactions of the above commodities shall be in accordance with existing rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture,” the DA said in its directives.

The department added that the move is part of its continuing efforts to stabilize supply chains amid rising demand and to support the country’s growing economy.