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International trade

Temporary Ban on Live Cattle and Buffalo Imports Imposed to Prevent Spread of Lumpy Skin Disease

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a temporary ban on the importation of live cattle and buffalo, as well as their products and by-products, from France and Italy following confirmed outbreaks of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD). The ban aims to safeguard the country's livestock industry from the highly contagious viral disease, which can cause fever, skin nodules, and trade disruptions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The temporary ban affects live cattle and buffalo, as well as their products and by-products, from France and Italy.
  • Exempted from the import ban are hides that have been salt-treated or subjected to ante- and post-mortem inspection, meal and flour from blood, and certain other products.
  • The ban was contained in Memorandum Orders 43 and 44 signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on August 1, 2025.
  • The DA cited international animal health standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and existing Philippine regulations to justify the temporary ban.
  • The import restriction will remain in effect until further notice, pending developments in containment and eradication efforts in the affected countries.
  • The DA reminded that Lumpy Skin Disease is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects cattle and water buffalo.

Statistics:

  • The ban affects imports from France and Italy, two countries that have reported Lumpy Skin Disease outbreaks.
  • The DA has imposed the temporary ban to prevent the spread of LSD, which can cause significant economic losses and trade disruptions.
  • According to the DA, the disease can reduce milk production, cause fever and skin nodules, and lead to weight loss in infected animals.
  • The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) sets international animal health standards, which the DA has cited in justifying the temporary ban.
  • The ban was agreed upon by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and details were contained in Memorandum Orders 43 and 44.

Sources:

  • "The Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of live cattle and buffalo, as well as their products and by-products, from France and Italy following confirmed outbreaks of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)."
  • Department of Agriculture (DA) Memorandum Orders 43 and 44, August 1, 2025.

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