Poultry sector seen to stabilize in next few weeks

A more stabilized poultry sector with regained consumer confidence may be expected in the next few weeks after the Department of Agriculture (DA) lifted the ban within the seven-kilometer radius in areas affected by bird flu.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) lauded Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol’s decision over the weekend to lift quarantine restrictions in the controlled zone of San Luis town in Pampanga and the towns of Jaen and San Isidro in Nueva Ecija, following recommendations by biosecurity experts.

“We commend the DA for finally lifting the seven-kilometer control area. It would help further create stability and normalcy of the situation,” Sinag chairman Rosendo So said in a text exchange.

“Consumer confidence is still very crucial in the poultry sector but the lifting would help create the condition to regain consumer confidence,” he added.

Almost two weeks after partially lifting the ban on the transport of poultry and poultry products nationwide, the government has widened the scope within the control zone.

“After the conduct of risk assessment on the seven-kilometer control zone and the recommendation of the avian influenza technical working group, movement of broilers and hatching eggs from the seven-kilometer radius to other parts of the country has been lifted,” Piñol said.

But Piñol reminded that some restrictions remain despite the lifting of the ban.

This includes the implementation of an interim rule of test and slaughter for broilers, provincial veterinary office’s inspection of farms due for harvest for biosecurity and flock health assessment, and slaughtering broilers only in dressing plants accredited by the National Meat Inspection Service.

“Hatching eggs from breeder farms must be sourced from farms without unusual mortalities, transported in a disinfected and sealed chick van before leaving the controlled area, and fumigated at the source and upon arrival at the hatchery,” Piñol added.

But the ban stays for poultry products from avian flu “ground zero” in San Luis, Pampanga and the towns of Jaen and San Isidro in Nueva Ecija.

The ban, first imposed last Aug. 11, was a precautionary measure to contain the virus and prevent it from infecting humans.

The poultry industry had been urging the DA to lift the ban, citing billions of losses due to poor sales.

“It (seven-kilometer lifting) was included in the list of ‘request’ of the industry. But we did not have any further meeting with him (Piñol) after the one two weeks ago where partial lifting of the ban was announced,” So said.

With the continued lifting of the ban, industry players said they expect gradual recovery within the next few weeks.

“Poultry farmers continue to suffer giveaway farm gate prices, from low of P25 to P40 per kilogram, while retail prices have even increased in some areas,” So said.

Last week, farm gate prices slumped to P10 to P15 per kilo, way below cost of production, from the average of P70 per kilo. –