ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) will review next week the country’s protocol in responding to avian influenza, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Wednesday.
The current protocol followed by the government, according to Piñol, severely impacted the poultry industry. It required the closure of all poultry farms within the one-kilometer radius of the outbreak site and the banning of poultry products from within the seven-kilometer radius from where the outbreak was reported.
“We realized that by instituting the old protocol, we actually adversely affected the business,” he said.
He cited the experience of European countries where poultry farms within the one-kilometer radius are placed under observation instead of being shut down. Affected fowls are then culled, he said.
He, however, said the government should ensure that the problem is contained as it couldn't afford to take chances.
He also noted that the "experience now has made us more prepared for any eventuality."
Piñol said the government has succeeded in handling the bird flu outbreak in San Luis, Pampanga and Jaen and San Isidro in Nueva Ecija within 18 days.
PNA Central Luzon has earlier reported that a total of 470, 640 chicken layers, broilers, ducks, pigeons, game fowl, native chickens and quails within the one-km quarantine zone and seven-km control area were destroyed to contain the spread of the avian flu virus.
Piñol added that poultry farms affected were also compensated. An initial fund of PHP29 million was released to the affected sector.
Piñol said he is set to sign an order lifting the ban on the seven-kilometer radius. (PNA)
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