Philippines Internationally Accredited FMD Free
PHILIPPINES - The Philippines will soon break into the livestock export market as the country is about to be globally declared foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) free said Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.
5 September 2008
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In a PIA report Yap said that Visayas and Mindanao have already been internationally accredited as FMD free and the government is filing a claim for Luzon to be also declared free of the dreaded disease that afflicts carabaos and cattle, wries EA Abasquez .
Sec. Yap said discussions are underway for the exportation of livestock products from General Santos City and Davao to Singapore.
To support the export of meat products, Yap said the government in cooperation with the private sector, will invest in world-class slaughterhouses, refrigeration and processing facilities, to make the country more competitive in the global market for livestock products.
He added that although avian flu (bird flu) is endemic in Asia, the Philippines is fortunate that it has been spared the virulent disease.
In Antique, the Provincial Veterinarian (PROVET) office reported that in order to safeguard the livelihood of Poultry and Livestock Sector and in support to the Hunger Mitigation Program, preventive measures are strongly enforced on the entry of pathogenic or contagious animal diseases, disclosed Porferio Gallego, Jr, Supervising Agriculturist.
PROVET in coordination with the local government units had deputized quarantine inspectors in identified points of entry like in Libertad and Culasi for livestock and poultry coming from Mindoro and Caluya, Anini-y for poultry and livestock coming from Cagayancillo, Palawan and Sipalay, Negros Occidental, San Jose port and airport in the capital town and the Roll-On-Roll-Off transport system, Gallego said.
Strict implementation of quarantine laws like compliance of poultry and livestock shipment permits outside the province and validation of permits for incoming shipment help boost the poultry and livestock industry thus the poultry and livestock business sector and individuals are enjoined to comply the shipping requirements in order to protect the industry and maintain the status of FMD-free and avian-free province, Gallego added.
