The Department of Agriculture (DA) has officially lifted its temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their by-products from Japan, following confirmation that the country is now free from highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The import ban, originally imposed by the DA in November 2024, also covered poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen. It was enacted as a precautionary measure to safeguard the local poultry industry.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., in Memorandum Order No. 36, cited a report submitted by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), which confirmed that all previously reported HPAI cases had been resolved as of June 13, with no new outbreaks since.

He said that in accordance with WOAH guidelines and our own risk assessment, we have determined that Japan is bird flu free the likelihood of bird flu contamination from imports originating in Japan “is negligible.”

With the lifting of the ban, all import transactions involving poultry products from Japan must comply with the DA’s existing sanitary and phytosanitary regulations and import protocols.

The decision is expected to help stabilize poultry supply chains and offer local businesses greater sourcing flexibility, especially amid tight global commodity markets. The order takes immediate effect and will remain in force until amended or formally revoked. Department of Agriculture