Philippines pushes for increased cooperation against foot-and-mouth diseases

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippines has been seeking stronger cooperation among Southeast Asian countries and China to control the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and other transboundary animal diseases, a government official said today.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala made the remarks at the 21st Office of International des Epizooties (OIE), or World Organization for Animal Health, Sub-Commission Meeting for FMD in South-East Asia and China last week in Manila.

"With China and Southeast Asia emerging as new global growth hubs, there is a growing recognition of the huge potentials of the region's livestock and poultry sector and the significant role it will play in the region's progress," Alcala said.

He noted, however, that despite its huge potential, the region' s livestock sector is hampered by a number of constraints, including the persistence of transboundary and highly contagious animal diseases such as the FMD.

FMD is a highly contagious transboundary animal disease, which poses serious threats to the livestock production, food security, and livelihoods of farmers globally.

The presence of FMD in endemic countries reduces productivity and restricts market access as a country's FMD-free status is an international trade requirement.