WHEREAS, based on the report submitted by Malaysia to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) last 19 August 2004, has confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI);

WHEREAS, there is a possibility that some travelers may bring in pet birds from Malaysia;

WHEREAS, there is also a possibility of trans-shipment of live domestic and wild birds including poultry meat, day old chicks, eggs and semen through Malaysia;

WHEREAS, there is a need to prevent the entry of the HPAI virus flu to protect the health of the local poultry population;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARTHUR C. YAP, Secretary of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby institute the following emergency measures;

1. Banning the importation and trans-shipment of domestic and wild poultry and birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen from Malaysia;

2. Immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation and issuance of Veterinary Quarantine Clearance/International Veterinary Certificate/Import Permit for applications relevant to the importation of the above-stated commodities from Malaysia by the Bureau of Animal Industry;

3. Stoppage and confiscation of all shipments into the country originating and transshipped from Malaysia by all DA Veterinary Quarantine Officers/Inspectors at all major sea/air ports.

This ORDER shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 20 Aug. 2004


(SGD.) ARTHUR C. YAP
Secretary