By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said the importation of animals and animal-derived products from Slovakia is temporarily banned to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
This came after FMD cases were logged among domestic cattle in Slovakia, with an outbreak reported in Dunajska Streda, Trnavsky on March 2.
Under DA Memorandum Order No. 21, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the import ban covers animals susceptible to FMD, including live swine, bovines, and water buffaloes; as well as animal-derived products including semen, skeletal muscle meat, casings, tallow, hooves, and horns.
“The temporary import ban aims to prevent the spread of the FMD virus and protect the health of animals susceptible to the disease,” he said.
Under the said order, the processing, evaluation, and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) are also suspended.
Exemptions, however, will be applied to shipments that are already in transit, loading, or entry that have been slaughtered or produced on or before March 6 and have tested negative for FMD upon arrival.
Likewise, products that underwent “ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk and its derivatives, heat-treated meat products in hermetically sealed containers, protein meal, gelatin, in vivo-derived bovine embryos, limed hides, pickled pelts, and semi-processed leather” will be allowed for entry.
To date, the Philippines remains free from FMD, according to the DA. (PNA)
