PBBM: DA HAS FUNDS FOR HALTING BIRD FLU SPREAD

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has assured the public that the Department of Agriculture has sufficient funds to control and curb the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the country.

In a statement, the DA said it is committed to stopping the spread of HPAI that has killed at least 2 million birds since the dreadful disease resurfaced in the country in February 2022.

The DA said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has 177.78 million for its avian influenza protection program that will roll out mitigating measures before and during outbreaks of bird flu.

“The fund, which is higher than the allocation in past years, will also be used to respond to animal disease emergencies through early detection and reliable laboratory diagnostics,” it said.

“Aside from continuously establishing close coordination with the local government units (LGUS) and stakeholders, DA-BAI will carry on disease investigation activities and surveillance of quarantine zones and will systematically conduct culling and disposal of affected poultry animals at the first sign of detection,” added the DA, where President Marcos serves concurrently as Secretary.

The authorities earlier assured the public that the impact of recent cases of bird flu on the overall poultry product supply of the country is insignificant. (Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2023/02/15/government-bird-flu-casesunder-control/)

The agriculture department is also reviewing its indemnification guidelines, particularly the amount for each culled bird, in its bid to encourage raisers to report suspected bird flu cases to authorities. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2023/02/16/government-reviews-indemnification-scheme-for-poultry-raisers/)