On Thursday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) extended the suspension on the travel of poultry and non-poultry live birds from Luzon to the Visayas, Mindanao, and the Mimaropa region due to the threat of bird flu.
The travel ban was extended for 30 days to prevent the spread of infectious diseases to birds.
But this does not include day-old breeder chicks, day-old pullets, and hatching eggs as long as they come from cities or municipalities with no recorded cases of bird flu.
Along with the relaxation, the chickens and eggs from their farm origin need a negative test result.
The inter-regional movement of ducks and ducks within Mainland Luzon is still prohibited.
But it is said that the release of ducks from areas with confirmed cases of bird flu to any part of the country is more strictly prohibited.
According to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), some of the areas with confirmed cases of bird flu are the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan, Laguna, Camarines Sur, Benguet, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Davao Del Sur.
Suspension on travel of live birds from Luzon extended
For the United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA), the extension ordered by the DA is fair because the movement of chickens and eggs without a confirmed case of bird flu will no longer be restricted.
The flow of meat and chicken eggs has been hampered in the past month, and they fear oversupply in Luzon.
The price of a tray of eggs in Quezon City has dropped by P10. From P145, a tray of eggs in the market is now at P135 due to the large supply.
From P190, chicken meat is now at P180 in the markets.
UBRA added that they are also waiting for the relaxation of local government units (LGUs), so BAI should explain to the LGUs the current situation of poultry.
“Kung maipatupad ‘yan at tatalima ang mga local government unit, magiging mas normal ang agos ng mga produkto at kalakal. May mga kanya-kanya kasing issuances eh. Sila kasi ang manangot sa health ng kanilang mamamayan,” explained UBRA President Bong Inciong.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.