Curbs lifted on transport of chicken from areas free of avian influenza
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is now allowing the movement of broiler chicken for slaughter from areas without active cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu.
In Administrative Circular No. 9, the DA said that broiler chicken can now be transported from areas clear of the disease for slaughter, subject to meeting the requirements for transport.
The DA said these include obtaining a local shipping permit (LSP) and a veterinary health certificate.
“The broilers must be transported directly from the source farm to the designated location as specified in the LSP. Loading and unloading of broilers during transit is strictly prohibited,” the DA added.
United Broiler Raisers Association Chairman Elias Jose M. Inciong said that the regulation could possibly improve the ease of doing business for chicken farmers.
The DA previously required the concurrence of regional field offices or local government units before issuing veterinary health certificates for transport.
The DA said the previous rules posed an undue burden on the poultry industry by “adding regulatory hurdles and costs.”
It added that broiler chicken transported to areas with active bird flu cases will not be permitted to return to their place of origin.
“The trader shall implement the necessary precautionary measures to ensure that all vehicles and conveyances used for hauling are subjected to appropriate biosecurity protocols before and after shipment,” the DA said.
According to DA guidelines, broiler chickens are excluded from vaccination protocols due to their relatively short production cycles, and are deemed less prone to disease outbreaks.
Separately, the DA declared Leyte province free of avian flu in Memorandum Circular No. 44.
As of Oct 25, 53 municipalities across nine provinces have active cases of bird flu, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry. — Adrian H. Halili