Lady solon seeks amendments to 60-year-old Animal Feeds Act

AAMBIS-OWA Rep. and Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin(Pictured) filed House Bill No. 3355 or the Animal Feed Act of 2016, which seeks to organize, update, and strengthen the livestock and poultry feeds industry in the Philippines. (Photo: Cong Sharon S Garin/ Facebook)

MANILA –A House leader at the House of Representatives has filed a bill that seeks to amend the Livestock and Poultry Feeds Act enacted way back in 1956.

AAMBIS-OWA Rep. and Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin filed House Bill No. 3355 or the Animal Feed Act of 2016, which seeks to organize, update, and strengthen the livestock and poultry feeds industry in the Philippines.

Garin emphasized the need for a new and better law that is in tune with the demands of the present time as there are a lot of changes brought about by the continuous growing of the industry.

“We must acknowledge that the success of the swine and poultry industries of the Philippines is also dependent on the Feeds Industry of the country,” Garin said.

Citing the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, the lady solon said feed represents roughly 60 percent of the total cost to produce pork, poultry, meat and eggs, thus making it a critical input to the swine and poultry industries in the country.

“Our country’s livestock programs should go hand in hand with an organized and regulated feeds industry, of course with the fervent support from the government,” said the House leader.

Some of the amendments proposed in the bill are to update many of the outdated definition of terms, policies, and penalties found in the original law passed six decades ago.

The bill also proposes better licensing and registration to ensure the quality of all feeds whether for commercial or non-commercial use.

Under the measure, an Animal Feed Control Advisory Committee will likewise be established to work hand in hand with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry, in order to efficiently oversee these changes in the processes.

Furthermore, a revolving Philippine Livestock Promotion Fund will be set up as a repository for the all fees and charges collected especially with the updated administrative fees and higher fees for penalties.

“If passed, this bill aims to strengthen the livestock industry in the country and help small and poor farm workers benefit further from the industry,” Garin said.