Public prosecutor’s office issues ban on Turkish animals due to foot-and-mouth disease fear

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Tuesday that it has issued a temporary ban on imports of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-susceptible animals, products and by-products from Türkiye following a reported foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in cattle in Cugun. Merkez, Kirsehir last September 9th.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order 42 on October 4, 2024, which imposed a temporary import ban to prevent the spread of the foot-and-mouth disease virus in the country.

“We are imposing an import ban to reduce the risk of FMD transmission to our local animal population,” Laurel said.

According to the order, the processing, evaluation and issuance of the sanitary and phytosanitary import permit for the said goods are immediately suspended.

All consignments from Turkey in transit or accepted at ports may be permitted entry if they were slaughtered or produced on or before August 26, 2024.