August 16, 2024

Philippine Senate passes bill to strengthen livestock, poultry, and dairy industry

The Philippine Senate has passed a bill that establishes a national roadmap aimed at enhancing the local livestock, poultry, and dairy (LPD) industry, The Philippine Star reported.

Senate Bill 2558, also known as the "Act Strengthening Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Industry Development and Competitiveness, Rationalising the Organisation and Functions of Relevant Government Agencies, and Creating a Competitiveness Enhancement Fund," was approved on the third and final reading.

Senator Cynthia Villar, the bill's principal author and sponsor, said the LPD industry has been hindered by fragmented government support and uncoordinated policies. She emphasised the need for a clear strategy to address these issues.

"We will set a clear and strategic direction for the LPD industry, strengthen the organisational structure and institutional capacity of relevant agencies, and ensure that adequate resources are provided to support the growth and competitiveness of the industry," Villar stated during her sponsorship speech.

Villar expressed gratitude to her colleagues for passing the bill during the plenary session. The legislation also calls for the creation of the LPD Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, which will have an annual appropriation of up to PHP 7.8 billion (US$136 million). The fund will be sourced from tariff collections on imported LPD products, modelled after the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

The bill outlines the functions of various government agencies tasked with developing the LPD industry, with the Bureau of Animal Industry serving as the lead agency for implementing key programmes. Among these programmes are the Breeder Availability and Genetic Improvement Programme, the Pasture Crops and Animal Feeds Programme, and the Native Animal Programme.

Additionally, the bill includes the Animal Health Welfare and Protection Programme, which seeks to provide veterinary health services and support for LPD. This comes as the country grapples with an outbreak of African swine fever in Batangas.

-      The Philippine Star