BACOLOD CITY -- The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental is asking the Department of Agriculture (DA) to extend the shipment ban for poultry products, particularly gamefowl being transported to the province.
Dr. Renante Decena, chief of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), said the Office of the Vice Governor sent the letter-request to the DA central office in Quezon City on Thursday.
The Negros Gamefowl Breeders Association and Gamefowl Breeders Association of Negros is seeking extension of the one-month transport ban due to concerns that the transport of fighting cocks on the heels of the bird flu outbreak can affect the national cock derbies next month.
Gamefowl is considered the second largest industry in Negros Occidental, next to sugar.
As an “underground economy” of the province, it is producing 25,000 to 50,000 heads of ready-to-fight gamefowl each month.
Decena said that in Negros Occidental, the poultry ban extension is necessary for gamefowl because of the regular daily movement of stocks.
Negrense gamefowl breeders transport fighting cocks for derbies in Luzon, for instance. Fighting cocks are also shipped to the province at the same time.
With the upcoming derbies in September, breeders here are apprehensive that the lifting of the ban on poultry coming from Luzon could affect their stocks.
In support of this, the Provincial Board passed a resolution on Wednesday approving the request of the two associations to extend the poultry transport ban for one month.
Decena said the lifting of the ban is too soon, which makes gamefowl breeders uncomfortable.
“It should be 21 days after the last day of stamping out,” he said.
Decena explained that gamefowl should pass two laboratory tests to confirm that the animal is negative of bird flu, adding that the shipper should also secure a veterinary health certificate and shipping permit. (PNA)
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Topic: Negros Occidental asks DA to extend shipment ban on gamefowl (Read 198 times)