CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Department of Agriculture (DA) Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has lifted the ban on the movement of live domestic and wild birds including poultry products coming from Pampanga.
The memorandum signed by Assistant Secretary Enrico Garzon of the DA states that the “Luzon to Luzon movement of live birds including poultry meat, day old chicks, eggs, semen, manure and other products may be allowed provided this is outside of the seven kilometre radius control area of Pampanga” and accompanied by a Shipping Permit and a Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a government veterinarian or a Meat Inspection Certificate.
BAI first issued a memorandum on August 11, banning the movement of these products from Pampanga to prevent the further spread of avian influenza in other parts of Luzon and to Visayas and Mindanao.
Mayor John Sambo of Sto. Tomas, Mayor Edgar Flores of Minalin and Mayor Danilo Baylon of Candaba earlier appealed for the review of the restricted poultry products since they are located outside the 7-km radius control area.
Since the pronouncement of the avian influenza outbreak in the province, duck raisers in the town of Candaba are losing an estimated amount of P4 million per day, according to Vice Mayor Michael Sagum.
Sagum said that duck raisers are still affected even if the BAI memorandum was amended as 80 percent of the eggs from Candaba are flown to Visayas and Mindanao.
The Department of Health (DoH) earlier stated that it is safe for the public to eat chicken and eggs as long as they are properly cooked.
LIEZEL CAYANAN
