NOTIFICATION OF THE PHILIPPINES’ IMPORT PROHIBITION ON ANIMALS AND RUMINANT PRODUCTS FROM MALAYSIA DUE TO FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE OUTBREAK

To: Managing Directors/General Managers/Logistics/Transport Managers and Executives

NOTIFICATION OF THE PHILIPPINES’ IMPORT PROHIBITION ON ANIMALS AND RUMINANT PRODUCTS FROM MALAYSIA DUE TO FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE OUTBREAK

Please take note that the veterinary authorities of the Philippines have imposed a prohibition on the importation of animals and ruminant products from Malaysia following an occurrence of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). This measure is in accordance with Department Circular No. 46, Series of 2026, issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippines, which has been conveyed to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), Malaysia.

For your reference, attached is the DVS Notification issued on September 21, 2026, and published on the DVS website.

The import prohibition covers live animals and ruminant products that pose a risk of carrying or transmitting FMD. The scope of the prohibition includes:

• Live swine, cattle, water buffaloes, and other FMD-susceptible animals;
• Skeletal muscle meat;
• Casings;
• Tallow;
• Hooves; and
• Horns.
  

Details of the commodities subject to the import prohibition, as well as the import requirements for ruminant products that remain permitted for importation, are as specified in Department Circular No. 46, Series of 2026, issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippines, which is attached to this notification for reference.

In this regard, exporters are requested to refrain from exporting any commodities that are subject to the import prohibition. For commodities that remain permitted for export to the Philippines, exporters must ensure that the relevant commodities have obtained the necessary approval from the relevant authorities and fully comply with all import requirements stipulated by the Philippine authorities.

In particular, for ruminant products that remain permitted for export, exporters must ensure that:

1. The products have undergone FMD-inactivating treatment; and
2. The health declarations stated in the Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC) accompanying each consignment are consistent with and comply with the requirements stipulated by the veterinary authorities of the Philippines.
   

Members are advised to take note of this update and ensure full compliance with the applicable requirements to facilitate the smooth continuation of exports to the Philippines.

For enquiries, please contact Ms Renuga Prabhakaran, FMM Secretariat, at Tel: 03-62867334 or email: renuga@fmm.org.my or igdivision@fmm.org.my. 

Click here to download Circular GPR/28/2026