THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has adopted a region-based approach to bird flu in Chile, allowing the importation of birds and bird products from areas that are certified free of the disease, while restricting imports from affected areas.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed the order through Department Circular 30, series of 2026, on June 11.
The DA said it required documents from Chile’s veterinary authorities to evaluate its measures for controlling bird flu.
A Bureau of Animal Industry review said Chile has adequate veterinary monitoring and disease-control measures against bird flu.
Thus, the risk of importing live poultry and poultry products, including day-old chicks, eggs and semen, from approved disease-free zones in Chile is low, the DA said.
It has now allowed the importation of domestic and wild birds and related products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and hatching eggs, from Chile’s disease-free zones recognized by the Philippines.
All imports must comply with the agreed regionalization rules and existing regulations, the DA said.
Imports must also follow Administrative Circular 9, series of 2025, which sets guidelines for recognizing bird flu-free zones in accredited countries exporting poultry, other live birds, and related products to the Philippines.
The circular takes effect 15 days after its publication on the DA website and filing with the National Administrative Register at the University of the Philippines Law Center.
Under Department Order 21, series of 2025, Chile has 13 accredited meat establishments authorized to export beef, pork and chicken products to the Philippines.
