balita-dot-ph
April 13,2010 12:42 PM

DA on alert for animal diseases in WV

ILOILO CITY, April 13 – The Department of Agriculture (DA) here is on alert for possible outbreak of animal diseases in Western Visayas.

DA Regional Executive Director Larry P. Nacionales said that regulatory measures are in place, especially on the livestock sector. But Nacionales said there is no need to panic, as counter measures such as vaccines and quarantine procedures are available anytime.

He added that the DA is strengthening its programs to address animal disease as demands for poultry and swine increases this summer.

DA is currently on strict monitoring of meat entry ports including airports in Iloilo, Bacolod City, Caticlan, and Negros Occidental. It is also coordinating with local government units that have an active livestock industry, to double-check their animals for possible contamination.

Nacionales said that DA is also monitoring backyard raisers of livestock, as they are more prone to animal diseases, especially on swine. Unlike the commercial livestock raisers who have enough funds to quell disease outbreak, backyard raisers rely on the support of the local agriculture office for vaccines and mitigation.

Nacionales said that Western Visayas is one of the top producer of poultry and livestock. It is critical that these raisers are disease-free and must meet the meat standards of the local and international market.

Agriculture Secretary Bernie Fondevilla has ordered DA to prepare for diseases threatening the livestock and poultry subsectors amid the emergence of free trade and changes in farming systems worldwide. (PNA)

FFC/LPC

Source: http://balita.ph/2010/04/13/da-on-alert-for-animal-diseases-in-wv/