Philippines imposes emergency livestock import ban affecting Vietnam

The Philippines has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a temporary emergency ban on importing certain animals and animal products from 23 countries, including Vietnam, due to a high risk of foot-and-mouth disease.

The ban, which took effect on September 19, 2026, covers items such as muscle meat, intestines, fat, hooves, horns, live pigs, cattle, deer, and semen from these species. Under Philippine regulations, prohibited goods will be suspended from import and confiscated at the border.

While the SPS Agreement allows for such emergency procedures, the 18-day gap between the ban's effective date and its notification to the WTO poses risks to Vietnamese businesses regarding existing contracts and shipments currently in transit. This measure comes during a period of strong growth for Vietnamese livestock exports, which reached $564 million in the first nine months of 2026, a 24.6% increase compared to the previous year.