DA TO BAI: meet disease threats to livestock industry
Amid the emergence of free trade markets and changes in farming systems worldwide, Secretary Bernie Fondevilla of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has challenged the Bureau of Animal Industry to squarely meet the threats of animal diseases to the livestock and poultry subsectors in order to safeguard the welfare of local farmers and help guarantee food security.
“These developments–largely attributed to increased international trade and changes in farming systems—indicate that disease control and prevention systems must be continuously enhanced at the national, regional and international levels,” Fondevilla said.
He pointed out that the government’s swift response to these persistent threats is “critical to our food security efforts, as well as to ensuring the income and livelihood of smallholders who make up the majority of these (livestock and poultry) subsectors.”
Alongside this strong response against animal diseases, he also underscored the need for BAI to set up a strong domestic mechanism that will support genetic improvement programs and efforts to slash the cost of production.
Fondevilla said protecting and developing the animal industry to help ensure food security is one of the biggest challenges that Philippine agriculture must confront amidst dwindling agri-fishery resources, changing weather patterns and increasing globalization.
The
The world’s population, meanwhile, is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, from the current 7 billion, he said.
“More people with higher incomes means bigger demand for food,” Fondevilla said.
He noted, for instance, that world demand for animal protein is expected to rise by 50% by 2020 because of changing dietary habits characterized by the consumption of more milk, eggs and meat.
Besides eliminating the threat of zoonoses, he said BAI should also continue its rabies eradication efforts; vaccination programs against Newcastle Disease, hog cholera, Hemosep, and other animal ailments; implementation of stringent biosecurity measures from farms, sites, migratory birds, meat processing plants, quarantine check points at airports and sea ports; and the operation and rehabilitation of livestock auction markets.
Equally important, he said, is for BAI to implement its hunger-mitigation programs such as the “Kambingan at Bakahan Sa Niyugan” and “Manukang Bayan.”
Earlier, then Secretary Arthur Yap lauded the BAI for helping raise the productivity and profitability of the domestic livestock and poultry industries, which accounts for a fourth of the country’s total farm output, despite the major challenges that these sectors have faced over the past years.
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 considering the tasks of the bureau in keeping the
