Philippines suspends imports of Turkish animal products following foot-and-mouth disease outbreak

PHILIPPINES – In response to a recent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Turkey, the Philippines has temporarily suspended the import of susceptible animals and their products. 

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced this precautionary measure in mid-October 2024. It protects the country’s livestock industry from potential exposure to the highly contagious virus.

The DA’s decision responds to an outbreak confirmed in September 2024, where Turkey’s veterinary authority reported three FMD cases in a herd of 589 beef cattle in Kirsehir Province, southeast of Ankara. 

The virus strain, classified as the “A” type, was detected but did not result in any fatalities. However, FMD’s economic risks and its swift spread among cloven-hoofed animals have prompted this decisive move by Philippine authorities to halt the entry of live cattle, sheep, swine, and related products.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the importance of safeguarding the Philippine agricultural sector, noting that the import ban is necessary to maintain disease-free standards for local livestock. 

“This suspension is a precaution to keep our agricultural health secure,” Laurel stated, adding that the DA’s approach is supported by assessments indicating the risks of FMD transmission through imported animal products.

While Turkey is not a significant export of beef or pork to the Philippines, the ban is a crucial step. In 2023, the Philippines imported 198,000 metric tons (MT) of beef, primarily from Brazil, India, and Australia, with no substantial imports from Turkey. 

The direct trade impact may thus be limited, but the policy underscores the Philippines’ vigilance against FMD. 

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Turkey currently lacks an official FMD-free status, which increases its susceptibility to outbreaks, especially given FMD’s prevalence in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.

FMD control and containment remain complex, as the virus’s seven known strains each require a unique vaccine. 

This particular outbreak has been contained locally in Turkey, where authorities have implemented quarantine protocols and are investigating potential transmission vectors, including wild birds observed near the outbreak site. 

However, the Philippines’ ban on animal imports will remain in force until officials confirm the absence of risk for FMD transmission through trade routes, safeguarding local livestock production from any potential threat.

The Philippines remains committed to rigorous import controls, recognising the devastating impact FMD could have on its agricultural economy. This action reflects a broader global vigilance as regions worldwide seek to protect livestock from this economically significant disease.

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