Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 27) — The Department of Agriculture temporarily banned the entry of poultry products from Poland on Monday, following an outbreak of H5N8 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

Memorandum Order no.5, series of 2020 says that the temporary ban includes the “importation of domestic and wild birds, and their products including poultry meat, day old chicks, eggs and semen originating from Poland.”

According to the World Health Organization, the A(H5N8) or the HPAI is a subtype of the Avian Influenza virus that affects wild and migratory birds that also cause outbreak in domestic poultry. However, it is unlikely for humans to obtain the virus.

But to take precautionary measures, Agriculture Secretary William Dar, enumerated a couple of guidelines concerning the importation of domestic and wild birds and their by-products.

"There is a need to prevent the entry of HPAI virus to protect the health of the local poultry population." the memorandum read.

Aside from the ban, there will be an immediate suspension of the processing, and evaluation of the application and issuance of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) import clearance to the said commodities.

The SPS Agreement is implemented by the World Trade Organization regarding the application of food safety, and animal and plant health regulations.

Frozen poultry meat with process or slaughter date of 21 days prior to the outbreaks will also be allowed to enter the country subject to veterinary quarantine rules and regulations.

Lastly, the importation of poultry meat will be subject to the conditions provided in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code of 2019, which gives the worldwide standards on animal health and welfare, and veterinary public health.

On the other hand, there was a reported increase in poultry produce from local farms in 2019. According to CNN Philippines, there was a 4.1 percent increase in chicken meat, while there was an 11.3 percent rise in egg supply.