MANILA, Dec 20 (NNN-PNA) – The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of live cattle and buffalo, as well as their products from Japan, due to the outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD), the country’s Department of Agriculture said yesterday.
In a memorandum, Philippine Agriculture Secretary, Francisco Tiu Laurel said, the import ban is essential to protect local cattle and water buffalo from the LSD virus.
“This precautionary measure is intended to safeguard the country’s livestock industry, from potential risks posed by the spread of LSD,” the memorandum said.
LSD is a viral disease that primarily affects cattle, often leading to severe complications or death.
However, certain products are exempted from the ban, provided they meet Philippine import and health standards. These include skeletal muscle meat, casings, gelatin and collagen, tallow, hooves and horns, blood meal and flour, bovine and water buffalo bones and hides, and pasteurised milk.
Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries reported the outbreak to the World Organisation for Animal Health on Nov 15.
