Yap cites animal bureau’s efforts to boost livestock, poultry productivity & profitability
Secretary Arthur Yap of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has commended the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for its sustained efforts to boost the productivity and profitability of the domestic livestock and poultry subsectors, which account for a fourth of the country’s total farm output, despite the major challenges these industries have faced over the years.
In a message of Yap read by Undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla during the recent 80th BAI anniversary celebration, Yap noted that on the watch of Director Davinio Catbagan, total livestock and poultry industry production increased by 1.49% in 2009 compared to 2008, which is no mean feat given the bureau’s tasks in keeping the Philippines free of the dreaded avian influenza (AI) or bird flu virus, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and other threats to the animal industry.
In 2009, livestock production increased by 1.20% from 2,327 thousand metric tons to 2,354 TMT, while poultry output increased by 1.82% from 1,713 TMT to 1744 TMT. For broiler production, supply is projected to be higher that the demand in the first semester of 2010.
“Moreover, the BAI has successfully kept the Philippines bird flu-free, which has allowed the Philippines to export poultry meat and poultry products to Japan, Hong Kong and the Middle East; as well as breeder chicks to Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Nepal and the Middle East,” said Yap in a speech that was read for him by DA Undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla.
He said the BAI also maintained the internationally recognized freedom of Mindanao, Visayas, Palawan and Masbate from the FMD since 2001 & 2002 respectively, and the forthcoming declaration of Luzon as FMD-free by the Office Internationale des Epizooties (OIE) or World Organization for Animal Health, which will add to the country’s attractiveness as a reliable source of high-quality livestock products, notably for the global Halal market that the DA is trying to develop.
Yap also cited BAI’s efforts in successfully eradicating the Rinderpest disease that threatened to decimate the country’s animal population; striking the right balance between local production and importation in ensuring ample food supplies for the people; and helping ensure the safety and quality of production inputs such as animal feeds, biologics/vaccines and veterinary drugs under its Comprehensive Enhancement and Production Support Program.
“We in the DA family take pride from this Bureau’s long history of meaningful service to the nation,”
1) eliminate non-effective imported drugs and biologics from the local market through field-testing and validation;
2) develop technologies on the production of local diagnostic antigens as alternative to expensive imported antigens;
3) implement a successful disease monitoring and surveillance system resulting in the non-entry of exotic animal diseases into the country;
4) develop and standardize practical diagnostic tests and protocols for the prompt and accurate diagnosis of disease outbreaks;
5) formulate and validate several cost effective control measures against several parasitic disease problems; and
6) transfer diagnostic technologies to upgrade the capabilities of the DA-Regional Diagnostic Laboratories.
“Today, on your 80th year, the men and women of the BAI must stand tall as a frontline agency of the DA, proud of the remarkably consistent growth and stability the livestock and poultry industry has achieved, even during the agriculture sector’s most critical periods,”
Yap called on the BAI to continue in vigorously pursuing its commitment of keeping the animal industry “disease-free, productive and ready to compete globally,” by stepping up its timely delivery of quality services and stronger collaboration with industry stakeholders, notably the local government units that directly supervise over the bureau’s veterinarians.
He said the DA fully supports the bureau’s current and future thrusts and the initiatives, which include undertaking an intensified livestock genetic improvement through the PL 480 – because animal genetic resources are the primary biological capital for livestock and poultry development, and are vital to food security and sustainable rural development.
It also supports other BAI projects like the Male Breeder Loan Program; its continuous upgrade of laboratories and personnel capabilities; and the development and implementation of specific technologies on breeding selection, improved feed resources and nutrition, animal waste management and improved utilization of meat, edible and non-edible meat products, he said.
“Such initiatives substantially contribute to the DA family’s efforts to mitigate hunger, bring progress in rural communities and build a climate change-resilient agriculture sector,”
He said the DA will also continue to support BAI’s National Animal Disease Control Programs for Hog Cholera/Classical Swine Fever, Newcastle Disease, Rabies, Hemorrhagic Septicemia and other priority animal diseases of the bureau as well as its information drive on various aspects of livestock and poultry growing and keeping them disease-free. (DA Press Office)
