Manila, Nov. 7 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday announced the imposition of a temporary import ban on poultry products from the Netherlands.

This is still part of the government's measures to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Philippines.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the import freeze was implemented following the reported outbreak in the European nation.

Under Memorandum Order No. 68, the processing and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) from the Bureau of the Animal Industry (BAI) is suspended for poultry products.

This ban covers wild and domestic birds, as well as poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and even seme...