Australia Poultry Imports Resume as Philippines Lifts Ban

Download IPFS

The Philippines has officially lifted its ban on poultry imports from Australia after health authorities confirmed the country is free from avian influenza.

This development follows an announcement from the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA), which revoked the import restrictions initially imposed in June 2024. The ban had covered a wide range of poultry-related imports, including domestic and wild birds, poultry meat, eggs, day-old chicks, and poultry semen, in response to reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Australia.

According to the DA, the decision to lift the ban was based on the latest evaluations from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and Australian agricultural officials. Both sources confirmed that all reported outbreaks of HPAI in Australia have been resolved, with no new cases detected since June 13, 2025. Under the guidelines of WOAH’s Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Australia now holds HPAI-free status.

The Philippines’ Bureau of Animal Industry conducted an independent risk assessment and concluded that the risk of contamination from Australian poultry imports is negligible. As a result, poultry products produced in Australia on or after July 25, 2025, are now eligible for importation into the Philippines.

The resumption of trade is expected to benefit both countries. For the Philippines, the move is projected to ease pressure on local poultry supplies and stabilize market prices, particularly for essential products like day-old chicks and chicken meat. For Australian exporters, the reopening of the Philippine market represents a return to one of the country’s key poultry trading partners in Southeast Asia.

Agricultural stakeholders in both nations have welcomed the decision, citing its positive impact on food security, trade continuity, and regional cooperation in veterinary health management.

Australia’s poultry sector has maintained a strong international reputation for biosecurity and quality standards. With the latest clearance from the WOAH and renewed access to the Philippine market, the country is positioned to strengthen its export performance across Asia.

The Department of Agriculture in the Philippines reiterated that import conditions would continue to follow international safety standards to prevent any resurgence of avian-related disease threats. Authorities have emphasized the importance of regular monitoring and compliance with health protocols by all importers and producers.

This development marks a step forward in restoring agricultural trade flow between the two nations and highlights the importance of global health governance in regulating cross-border animal product trade.