MANILA — The Department of Agriculture in the Philippines announced this week that it would temporarily ban poultry imports from California and Ohio due to concerns over highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

The ministry stated that the ban would include products sourced from domesticated and wild birds, including poultry meat, eggs and other products.

Any shipments from California and Ohio that were already in transit, loaded and accepted at Philippine ports before Jan. 15 shall be allowed in the country. However, the ministry said those products needed to be slaughtered 14 days before the first reported outbreak.

Any poultry products from California and Ohio after Nov. 14, 2023, and Nov. 21, 2023, will be seized, destroyed, or returned to the United States, according to the ministry. 

During 2023, the Philippines imported 166,356 tonnes of poultry products worth $175.8 million. The United States is the second largest poultry meat supplier to the country, making up 40% of meat arrivals.

On Jan. 9, the Philippines announced similar measures to ban imports of poultry and poultry products from Belgium and France due to HPAI concerns.