By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. has authorized the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to set up livestock, poultry, and meat industry inspection sites in Metro Manila and surrounding areas to control the spread of animal diseases on Wednesday.
Under Administrative Circular No. 10, BAI has been tasked to set up quarantine checkpoints for the detection of animal diseases like avian influenza and African swine fever (ASF).
“These inspection sites should serve as a defensive wall against the spread of animal diseases that threaten not only the local livestock and poultry industries but also public health and food security,” Sec. Tiu Laurel said.
ASF, which has had a devastating impact on the hog industry since its first outbreak in 2019, recently had a resurgence in Region IV-A. New outbreaks in other previously ASF-affected areas are continually reported.
Cases of the highly-pathogenic avian influenza, meanwhile, are continuously detected and remain a significant threat to the local poultry industry.
Millions of pigs and chickens have been culled to control the spread of these diseases, resulting in billions of foregone revenue, income, investments, and job losses. The swine and poultry industries are major contributors to agriculture output.
“Given the severe economic impact on the livestock and poultry industries of bird [flu], ASF, and other diseases, it’s crucial to implement stringent disease management protocols and strategies to control their spread,” the DA chief added.
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