No bird flu scare
DESPITE the huge amount of poultry products being transported in Benguet, Governor Crescencio Pacalso dispelled fears over bird flu scare.
Aside from poultry products, the province also imports chicken dung used as fertilizers by Benguet farmers.
However, Pacalso said while poultry products such as dung make their way to the province, Benguet has already set –up quarantine areas along entry points to thwart any entry of poultry affected by the scare.
“While it’s true that most farmers use chicken dung as fertilizers, we believe that only five percent of the vegetable farmers will be affected because we still have sources coming from Bulacan and Nueva Ecija,” the governor said.
Pacalso added while check points have already placed along major roads, some routes entering the province has no quarantine check points and asked the help of its residents to be vigilant with the entry of poultry products coming from Pampanga.
The Benguet official added quarantine checkpoints situated in the various entry and exit points of the province are crucial in preventing the entry of trans-boundary animal diseases and ensure the public on food safety.
Board member Robert Namoro meanwhile said the proposed animal quarantine ordinance in the province which is now on its second reading could have been passed earlier to prevent any entry of disease stricken animals.
“Animal quarantine is being put in the forefront because it is crucial in protecting the province's local animal industry against diseases that may be brought in by shippers," Namoro said.
Namoro added the law also aims to help to regulate the supply of livestock and poultry in the market that may compete with local raisers and prevent the spread of contamination of animals
The provincial law maker added the government is mandated to ensure public health and safety through quality and safe animal fish products, preventing and minimizing the occurrence of livestock and poultry diseases by intensifying measures for the prevention and eradication of dangerous transboundary diseases in the province.
The ordinance when passed will mandate the placement of five check points in the area; the Palispis - Aspiras Highway, Naguilian Road, Kennon Road, Benguet – Nueva Viscaya and the Benguet-Ilocos Road.
The province will recommend the confiscation of the livestock which did not pass through the officially designated quarantine areas in the province and will fine offenders. Roderick Osis