Luzon poultry products banned in Cebu due to bird flu
CHICKENS and other poultry products from Luzon are temporarily banned from entering Cebu province due to the threat brought by the highly-pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 or bird flu.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia issued Executive Order 9 that prohibits the entry of poultry products to the province starting March 8.
The ban will take effect for 45 days. It covers live poultry and/or wild birds, including day-old chicks, semen, fresh eggs, embryonated eggs, manure, other poultry products and by-products.
Garcia said the move was to protect the province’s poultry industry and the consumers.
All mayors in Cebu were also directed to strengthen and implement minimum biosecurity measures in their area of jurisdiction, particularly at the poultry establishments, slaughterhouses/abattoirs, poultry dressing plants, live bird markets, and poultry farms.
The Department of Agriculture earlier confirmed an avian flu outbreak in Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna and Camarines Sur.
Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama expressed support to Garcia as it ordered that starting yesterday, the city would also no longer accept chickens and other poultry products from Luzon.
Rama said cases of bird flu and African swine fever should be taken seriously.
“I support the governor and wish that it will all be the tri-cities at the same time. So that has become one Cebu island,” Rama said, as he expressed hope that the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu will also issue a similar order.
