Bohol creates ASF/ AI

Exec Comms, TForces

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 12 (PIA) – In the urgency of the situation with the cases of the dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF) in Camiguin Island, and with yet another threat of the Avian Influenza (AI) in the offing with the winter migration starting soon, Bohol creates a Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and Task Force for those two major concerns.

Through Executive Order No 7 series of 2022, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado caused the creation of an inter-agency as well as inter-sectoral PEC on ASF and AI, tasked to map out measures to prevent anc control the two diseases that have the potential to wipe out the local hog and poultry industry.

At its creation, Bohol will now a focused group to approve and review the provincial Preparedness and Contingency plan, provide policy directors and supervise its implementation, identify and recommend sources of resources and funds for the plan implementation and ensure awareness of the Boholano populace of the virus and the disease that can jeopardize its economic recovery program.

First among the lists of the PEC ASF/AI tasks in the formulation and adoption of a Provincial Preparedness and Contingency plan against ASF and AI, one that would also be adopted and implemented by municipal and barangays as their operational plans.

The Provincial Preparedness and Contingency Plan would be anchored of strategies like strict enforcement of quarantine policies and procedures, inter-agency and inter sectoral participatory collaboration, regular disease surveillance and monitoring, regular policy updating and ASF / AI issuances review and a strong information education management.

The PEC ASF and AI would be having its Task Force Quarantine which shall implement prescribed biosecurity measures in seaports, airport livestock and poultry farms, ban or regulate livestock movement and document incoming and outgoing shipment of livestock.

Task Force Field Surveillance and Monitoring would conduct regular surveillance and profiling of livestock and poultry disease in identified priority areas, regular monitoring of livestock and poultry farms and facilities, supervise the implementation of border control, regular monitoring of swine and poultry products, its availability and price trend.

The EO also provides for the creation of Task force on the information, Education and Communication which is tasked to prepare a communication IEC plan and ensure adequate awareness of the general public on matters pertaining to ASF and AI.

It also sets up a Task Force on Disease Update and Policy Review which ensures up-to-date gathering of disease updates from the national agencies and recommend necessary policies and measures for implementation.

Morever, the EO also sets up the Quick Response Task Force as a quick response force on livestock and poultry emergencies like field disinfection, disposal, animal management and possibly facilitate and process indemnification procedures if the LGU provides for it.

And in the spirit of collaborative participation, the Provincial, City and Municipal Executive Councils in municipalities with airports and ports would be responsible in deploying their own quarantine personnel to put up a system of quarantine services in their areas, according to the EO No 7.

As to border control, the EO also provides that the provincial City Municipal and Barangay Task Forces which, would include the Bantay Dagat, Barangay Livestock Aides, Barangay Tanods and other key baranagya personnel are to coordinate in the establishment and implementation of a border control in the island and coastal barangays, and monitor incoming and returning fishing vessels.

The governor signed the EO No 7 last July 4 and that would take effect immediately. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

PROTECTING A BILLION-PESO LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY. Gov Erico Aristotle Aumentado, in an Executive Order, created the Provincial Executive Committees on African Swine Fever (ASF) and Avian influenza (AI) in a bid to make sure the island can unite and prevent the entry of the virus that would cause the diseases that have the capacity to wipe out and decimate the local livestock industry. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

EO 5 regulates entry of processed
frozen, raw, poultry meat, eggs

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 12 (PIA) –As the threat of the Avian Influenza (AI) spreads and nears Bohol and as the fears that local supply can not satisfy the need, Bohol issues an order to regulate the entry of fresh, frozen poultry products, fresh poultry eggs from mainland Luzon, mainland Mindanao and other infected areas.

Through Executive Order No 5, series of 2020, Gov Erico Aristotle Aumentado ruled that fresh and frozen poultry meat of domestic origins as well as imported sources, should have an accompanying Meat Inspection Certificate issued by the national meat Inspection Services (NMIS) and should have a Veterinary Shipping Permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry, to be allowed entry to Bohol.

On the other hand, for cooked and canned processed products, the shipment should be accompanied by a copy of the License to Operate (LTO) of the processor as issued by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

It would also be tougher for uncooked processed poultry products to get in because border control officials here would be looking for the Veterinary Shipping Permit, the processor’s LTO as issued by the FDA and the Certificate of Product Registration issued again by the FDA.

The EO also sets a trickier process of entry for shipped table eggs, salted eggs and quail eggs.

The subject EO lists own five documents the shipper must show for the products to be allowed entry to Bohol.

These include a Veterinary Health Certificate from the Provincial Veterinarian of the port of origin, a Veterinary Shipping permit from BAI, Poultry farm accreditation by the Bureau of Animal industry (BAI), an Avian Influenza negative test result taken a month prior to the shipping and that these items should be shipped in new and properly sanitized containers or egg trays.

In the case of balut whether fresh or cooked, aside from a Veterinary Health Certificate and Veterinary Shipping Permit accompanying the goods, should have a certification of ultra violet light disinfection for fresh balut or using food-grade disinfectant for cooked balut as issued by the Veterinary Quarantine Officer of the port of departure.

Balut, whether cooked or raw, should also be accompanied by a Duck Farm Accreditation from the BAI, an AI negative test result take within one month prior to shipment, plus an Accreditation Certificate as Balut Distributor from the office of the Provincial Veterinarian and that these must be transported in pulp organic egg trays and paper boxes or cartons. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)