DA lifts temporary ban on import of live cattle, meat products from UK

The Department of Agriculture has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of live cattle and meat products from the United Kingdom.

The DA ordered on May 30 a ban on importation of live cattle, meat and meat products, bovine processed animal proteins and semen derived from cattle originating from the UK in response to reported cases of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. The import ban was meant to mitigate potential health risks to consumers and protect the local livestock industry.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on October 11 signed Memorandum Order 45 lifting the import ban after official reports of the UK to the World Organization for Animal Health showed that the mad cow case “has ended with resolved status and no additional outbreaks after 07 August 2024.”

The DA chief added that UK authorities also provided evidence to show that food safety measures are in place and are equivalent to guidelines in the Philippines.

Secretary Tiu Laurel said that as a country recognized by the WOAH with “negligible” risk of the mad cow disease, “the acceptance of all in-transit and incoming shipments from the United Kingdom may commence provided with verified equivalence from the United Kingdom Veterinary Authority.” ###