DA raises the red flag on threats to livestock

Addressing disease threats in the livestock industry is crucial to the country’s food security, hence department of agriculture (DA) acting secretary Bernie Fondevilla is urging the bureau of animal industry (BAI) to look into measures that will immediately address threats of animal diseases in the country’s livestock industry.
Fondevilla said that with the emergence of free trade markets and changes in farming systems worldwide, the need to safeguard local livestock farmers has become more pressing.      
“These developments–largely attributed to increased international trade and changes in farming systems–indicate that disease control and prevention systems must be continuously enhanced at the national, regional and international levels,” Fondevilla said, adding:
“The government’s swift response to these persistent threats is critical to our food security efforts, as well as to ensuring the income and livelihood of smallholders who make up the majority of these (livestock and poultry) subsectors.”
Alongside this strong response against animal diseases, he also underscored the need for BAI to set up a strong domestic mechanism that will support genetic improvement programs and efforts to slash the cost of production.
“Protecting and developing the animal industry to help ensure food security is one of the biggest challenges that Philippine agriculture must confront amid dwindling agri-fishery resources, changing weather patterns and increasing globalization,” Fondevilla said.
Aside from eliminating the threat of animal diseases, he said BAI should also continue its rabies eradication efforts; vaccination programs against Newcastle Disease, hog cholera, Hemosep, and other animal ailments; implementation of stringent biosecurity measures from farms, sites, migratory birds, meat processing plants, quarantine check points at airports and sea ports; and the operation and rehabilitation of livestock auction markets.
The BAI had been lauded for helping raise the productivity and profitability of the domestic livestock and poultry industries which account for a fourth of the country’s total farm output, despite the major challenges that these sectors have faced over the past years.
The total livestock and poultry industry production increased by 1.49% in 2009 compared to 2008, which is no mean feat considering the tasks of the bureau in keeping the Philippines free of the dreaded avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease and other threats to the animal industry.