DA reviewing livestock, poultry transport regulations

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it is conducting a comprehensive review of regulations concerning the transport of livestock and poultry to address supply challenges aggravated by lingering animal health issues.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that the review of existing regulations will be carried out in consultation with industry groups, particularly the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc.

“This extensive review of regulations, including DA Administrative Order (AO) No. 5, Series of 2019, aims to ease supply bottlenecks for chicken and pork without compromising food safety. It will also help manage expected demand spikes during the holiday season,” Tiu Laurel said.

In particular, the DA Administrative Order No. 5, issued in 2019, sets guidelines for the local transport of animals, animal products, and by-products to protect public health and combat animal health threats. 

The regulations impose strict timelines for obtaining transport permits and set special requirements for specific animals and products.

Moreover, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)  is also reviewing DA Administrative Circular No. 2, Series of 2022, which modified the National Zoning and Movement Plan to control African Swine Fever (ASF). 

The ongoing ASF problem has devastated the hog industry since its outbreak in 2019. 

To combat ASF, the DA is in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration to make ASF vaccines commercially available in the Philippines.

“We aim to streamline these processes and update safety measures to ensure stable supply and reasonable prices for pork, poultry, and other products, while safeguarding both public health and the livestock industry,” said Tiu Laurel.

The agriculture chief said the review of the policies is part of the DA’s 10-point agenda to “strike a balance between development and regulation.”

—VAL, GMA Integrated News