April 15, 2004

Philippine Imposes Tighter Rules on Corn Importation
 
The government is implementing stricter regulations on the importation of corn to allay fears over potential danger to locally raised livestock.
 
Livestock growers have been expressing concern over the possibility that the planned importation by government of 350,000 metric tons of corn could carry the avian influenza virus.
 
During a recent visit in Cebu, Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo said corn shipment the government intends to import for delivery starting this month and until May will be subject to strict post-harvest procedures and quality control measures.
 
The government would conduct close inspection of the imported corn shipment to ensure it will not be contaminated with the bird-flu virus when processed as feeds for local poultry and livestock industry.
 
One requirement is that the imported corn should meet moisture content, Lorenzo said.
 
"The post harvest procedure done on grains prior to storage is to have their moisture level content reduced to 11-13 percent," Lorenzo said.
 
The DA chief pointed out that even if the desired moisture content level is reached, the corn should also be subjected to heat treatment, where the temperature for drying has to be increased up to 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
He said the moisture content level of the grain before shipment must be double checked by the quarantine officer when it arrives at the local ports to ensure that the ideal moisture content level is maintained.
 
He also instructed a random inspection of goods upon arrival to determine if it meets the sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.
 
Eight Asian countries have been battling the severe form of the avian influenza virus and about 100 million chickens have either died from the illness or been slaughtered in the region since December.
 
The virus claimed human lives only in Vietnam and Thailand, where a total of 24 people have died.
 
The dreaded bird flu also showed up in Canada and the United States.
 
About 400,000 birds have been slaughtered in Canada.
 
On the other hand, about 1,000 birds were killed after the flu turned up at a Texas poultry farm.
 
Experts from agencies such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organization warn that it could take a year or more to get rid of the disease, and counsel against premature announcements that it has been eradicated by nations anxious to restore their poultry industries.