DA urged to prevent bird flu from affecting farms in Albay

MANILA – The chair of the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday asked the Department of Agriculture for assistance in preventing a possible avian flu outbreak in the province of Albay.

Albay Representative Joey Salceda made the appeal through a letter addressed to Agriculture Secretary William Dar following reports of the H5N1 strain of avian flu being detected in Bula and Sipocot in Camarines Sur.

“While my office is validating these reports, I am deeply concerned about a potential outbreak in these areas as Albay sources poultry products (particularly eggs) from these municipalities,” Salceda wrote Dar.

Salceda asked Dar whether Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests are available or pre-positioned to detect the virus in Albay; what biosafety measures can be taken by farmers and raisers to prevent the transmission of avian flu among their poultry; and what forms of assistance can the DA extend to poultry raisers to prevent the spread of avian flu.

He noted that the DA is already undertaking measures in affected areas in Central Luzon to control the infection.

Salceda assured Dar of the support of the House of Representatives to the efforts of the agriculture department to fight bird flu outbreaks.

He offered to endorse any request from the DA for changes in administrative procedures in the Bureau of Customs to prevent the entry of infected live and poultry products.

Salceda also offered to request the Philippine Ports Authority and the Department of Transportation to work with the agriculture department to craft guidelines to strengthen avian flu prevention measures.

“Agriculture is still recovering, and given inflation prospects, keeping food prices down will be an absolutely critical priority for this administration and the next one. Efforts to prevent ASF-like effects on our poultry industry will be vital to economic recovery,” Salceda said.

According to the DA, the H5N1 strain has been detected in duck and quail farms in Baliuag, Bulacan and Candaba, Pampanga, respectively, as well as in Minalin, Pampanga; Victoria, Laguna; and Bula and Sipocot, Camarines Sur.