THE Department of Agriculture (DA) 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.
In a statement on Wednesday, the DA said with the issuance of Administrative Circular No. 10 earlier this month, BAI, through the National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division and in coordination with various local government units, will set up quarantine checkpoints for the detection of animal diseases like avian influenza (AI) 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,” said DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
DA said ASF, which first affected the country in 2019, recently had a resurgence in Calabarzon, with new outbreaks in other previously ASF-affected areas also continually reported.
The agency said cases of the highly-pathogenic AI are also continuously detected and remain a significant threat to the local poultry industry.
Aside from setting up inspection stations, BAI is also tasked to assess potential missing links in the quarantine wall to ensure strict border controls.
“Given the severe economic impact on the livestock and poultry industries of bird, ASF and other diseases, it’s crucial to implement stringent disease management protocols and strategies to control their spread,” Tiu Laurel added.
BAI data showed as of November 8, active cases of ASF are contained in Ilocos Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Soccsksargen as well as in 20 provinces, 104 municipalities and 465 barangays. BAI also said as of November 15, four regions, seven provinces, 51 municipalities and 134 barangays remain affected by AI.
