May 31, 2011

Philippines free of foot-and-mouth disease

The Philippines can now export its livestock and pork products, as the country is certified free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) or World Organisation for Animal Health.

The latest OIE certification cleared the country's last FMD-affected regions and provinces, collectively referred to as Zone 2, thus opening the Philippines to export particularly to nearby ASEAN and Asia-Pacific regions.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said negotiations are ongoing to export pork products to Singapore and Malaysia. Selected swine farms, abattoirs and meat processing establishments, initially in Mindanao, are being accredited by the Department of Agriculture through its concerned agencies, particularly the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). As the country is free from avian flu, it has been exporting poultry products, mostly to Japan.

The OIE certification was received on behalf of the Philippine government and Sec. Alcala by agriculture assistant secretary for livestock Davinio Catbagan on May 26, 2011.

Catbagan said the country's FMD-free status also augurs well for the domestic livestock industry, as livestock and swine raisers and meat processors can now freely transport and trade live animals and livestock and pork products within the country. He said the free movement and transport will enhance productivity, particularly in improving, upgrading, and increasing current livestock herd and swine population.