THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted a temporary ban on imports of domestic and wild birds from Illinois and Minnesota in the United States after veterinary authorities declared the two states free of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or bird flu.
Department Circular 41, which repeals restrictions under DA Circular 15 (Series of 2026) and Memorandum Order 67 (Series of 2025), was signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. last Aug. 11.
The lifting covered imports of domestic and wild birds, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen originating from both states.
"All affected counties of Illinois and Minnesota have ended with resolved status, and there were no additional outbreaks," the DA said.
The decision to suspend the ban was said to also align with established trade protocols.
The circular notes that "as a country recognized with HPAI regionalization arrangement with the Philippines, state-wide trade restrictions shall only be imposed if there are three or more counties affected by HPAI."
US veterinary authorities had informed the World Organization for Animal Health that previously reported bird flu cases across affected counties in both states had been successfully resolved with no further outbreaks detected.
