Batangas livestock farmers suffer backlash in Pampanga's bird flu outbreak

SAN JOSE, Philippines — Poultry farm owners in San Jose, Batangas suffer negative trading effects brought about by the bird flu outbreak in San Luis, Pampanga.

READ: DA confirms bird flu outbreak in Pampanga l First bird flu outbreak: 400,000 to be culled

Nicanor Briones, President of Agriculture Sector Alliance of the Philippines Inc. and director of Samahang Industria ng Agrikultura said the ban on selling their eggs outside Luzon would result to a massive loss in the livestock industry of the province.

"Bakit kailangang mag-suffer ng San Jose o ang buong probinsya samantalang wala namang bird-flu dito sa aming lugar?" Briones said.

San Jose, Batangas has been declared as the “egg capital” of the Philippines. It produces more than seven million eggs everyday from 350 chicken farms.

Briones said one of their farmer member who was about to deliver eggs to Iloilo was prevented from disembarking at the port.

"Apparently, the local officials of Iloilo has implemented a contingency measure by not allowing all livestock product from Luzon to enter the province" Briones said

"Pakiusap namin kay DA Secretary Piñol na mag issue ng clearance sa mga probinsya na bird-flu free para naman hindi mamatay ang livestock industry sa buong Luzon," Briones said

Meanwhile, the Batangas provincial government has set up “disinfectant” checkpoints at provincial entry points as preventive measure to avoid the spread of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza virus.

In an advisory, the provincial government warned that the spread of the virus, which started in Pampanga province, is "highly possible."

All livestock and feed transport carriers entering the province are now required to be disinfected at the animal inspection and disinfection checkpoints situated at different areas of Batangas.

Governor Hermilando Mandanas and Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Romelito Marasigan have called on Batangueños to be alert and vigilant and help protect the province's poultry industry

He also called on Batangas local officials, veterinarians, agriculturist/agricultural officers, technicians, farm owners/managers to monitor closely the commercial and backyard poultry farms in their areas and report immediately to the Provincial Veterinary Office if they have observed signs of the avian flu in the flock.

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