DA takes early action vs bird flu threat to egg prices

The Department of Agriculture is taking proactive measures to stabilize the egg supply and curb potential price hikes amid concerns over bird flu. GMA NEWS ONLINE FILE PHOTO
The Department of Agriculture is taking proactive measures to stabilize the egg supply and curb potential price hikes amid concerns over bird flu. GMA NEWS ONLINE FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Saturday, February 1, that it was taking proactive measures to stabilize the egg supply and curb potential price hikes amid concerns over bird flu.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. noted that a bird flu outbreak in the US had driven egg prices up due to the culling of millions of egg-laying chickens.

While the Philippines has yet to experience a widespread outbreak, the country may face a supply shortage by April.

Ang problema dito sa shortage na ito is because last year naman, sobrang raming itlog na bumagsak ang presyo sa farmgate ng P4 bawat piraso. Maraming nalugi. ‘Yung mga nalugi naman, kinatay nila yung mga layers nila para magkaroon ng cash,” Laurel explained.

To address this, the DA is expediting the importation of egg-laying chickens and working to secure a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for an avian influenza vaccine.

Ang pinakamalaking tulong na mabibigay ng DA sa industriya is to faciliate ‘yung kanilang pag-i-import ng mga bagong layers into the country, ma-fast track ‘yan,” said Tiu Laurel.

May chance pa naman ma-avert itong sinasabi ko sa Abril dahil Pebrero pa lang naman. But at least, looking forward, there is a problem, and we will act on it.”

However, the Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA) downplayed the risk of a shortage, stating that supply remains stable unless a major bird flu outbreak occurs.

Ang projection po natin itong taon is meron tayong ine-expect na oversupply sa production po ng itlog,” said PEBA President Francis Uyehara.

“‘Yung mga dumating na parent stock last year, ngayon po magsisimula yon maging productive. [Pero], kung magkaroon ng outbreak magkakaproblema po tayo sa supply po ng itlog.” (GMA Integrated News)

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