The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has officially lifted its temporary ban on importing live animals, meat, and animal products from Hungary.
The decision comes after the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) formally declared Hungary free from Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), giving the European nation a clean bill of health. The lift is a major win for local food security, helping the Philippines secure stable meat prices and diversify its import partners amidst global supply chain disruptions.
[ PHILIPPINES-HUNGARY TRADE PATHWAY ]
March 2025 ──▶ Emergency import ban issued following an FMD outbreak in Hungary
March 2025 ──▶ Emergency import ban issued following an FMD outbreak in Hungary
May 2026 ──▶ WOAH officially restores Hungary's FMD-free status
July 2026 ──▶ Philippines DA signs Circular 34, allowing trade to resume
Balancing Local Biosecurity with Food Security
The original ban was put in place under Memorandum Order No. 16 in early 2025 as a precautionary measure after Hungarian authorities reported cases of FMD in domestic buffaloes in northwestern Hungary. Foot-and-Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral illness that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. While it rarely infects humans, an outbreak can devastate a nation’s livestock sector and cause severe economic damage.
With Hungary’s containment zones officially declared FMD-free without the use of vaccination, Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Department Circular No. 34 to resume trade safely.
“We remain uncompromising in protecting our country’s livestock from diseases, but we also recognize the importance of keeping reliable supply channels open once international standards confirm the risks are managed,” Secretary Tiu Laurel Jr. stated. “This balanced approach strengthens food security and helps stabilize prices for consumers”.
What Farmers Need to Know
-
15-Day Transition: The resumption of imports will officially take effect 15 days after its publication on the Department of Agriculture’s website
-
Strict Inspections: All incoming Hungarian shipments of susceptible animals, meat, and by-products will remain subject to rigorous sanitary and veterinary quarantine regulations at Philippine ports of entry
-
Price Relief: Reopening trade with Hungary is expected to ease price pressures on pork and beef products in local supermarkets by broadening import competition
