Manila: The Philippines has lifted its temporary ban on the importation of live birds and other poultry products from six countries, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Thursday. The removal of the ban affects Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Sweden, and the Malaysian states of Kelantan and Sabah.

According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. lifted the restrictions through Memorandum Orders 58 to 60, following the resolution of outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or bird flu in these areas. In a statement, the DA confirmed that no new reports of bird flu have been recorded since the resolution of the outbreaks.

The DA noted that the risk of importing poultry from these regions has been assessed as negligible. This evaluation was based on the Bureau of Animal Industry's (BAI) analysis after receiving official reports from veterinary authorities in the affected countries.

For Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, and Sweden, the orders permit the resumption of the importation of domestic and wild birds, particularly for pet or zoo purposes. In Malaysia, the importation of live birds and other poultry products is also permitted from the states of Kelantan and Sabah. This includes domestic and wild birds, and their products, such as day-old chicks, eggs, and semen.