(DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña’s Facebook)
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) has given the green light to the researchers of Ifugao State University (IFSU) to proceed with its research and development (R&D) project on muscovy duck breeding.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the IFSU’s “Development of Philippine Signature Muscovy Duck Breed” project has been approved and will be implemented starting this year.
The team will be headed by IFSU R&D Director Dr. Elpidio Basilio Jr.
Published May 7, 2021, 4:10 PM
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will increase monitoring of pork imports coming into the country to prevent the entry of new African Swine Fever (ASF) variants that have started to cause problems in the hog sector of China, the world’s largest pork-producing country.
In a text exchange, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said there is a “need double our efforts for our monitoring and surveillance much more on smuggled pork and pork products”.
“We have strengthened our first border inspection and we will increase our monitoring and surveillance system,” he added.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar (MANILA BULLETIN)
May 5, 2021
Although the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin has not yet been proven effective against COVID-19 in animals, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will also evaluate whether it is effective in pigs against African swine fever (ASF).
Special Order No. 310 released by Agriculture Secretary William Dar on April 30 formed the inter-agency research team for the preliminary trial.
According to Agriculture Undersecretary William Medrano, ivermectin has been found in other countries to be effective as a drug against other viral animal diseases.
“There are scientific literatures already na ivermectin, aside from being an effective anti-parasitic, meron din siyang antiviral effects and anti-inflammatory… Ginamit na sa other countries ‘yung ivermectin sa other viral diseases ng livestock,” said Medrano.
NegOcc ships hogs to Luzon
Philippine Information Agency
05 May 2021, 16:38 GMT+10
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, May 5 (PIA) The Province of Negros Occidental, which remains free from African Swine Fever (ASF), has shipped more than 500 heads of fattened hogs to Luzon recently.
The shipment of the 577 live hogs supplied by various hog raisers in Negros Occidental, both commercial and backyard, was made directly through the Batangas port where it is intended for the market in the provinces of Batangas, Cavite and Laguna.
Travel time of about 32 to 38 hours from BREDCO port in Bacolod City to Batangas port was shorter than going straight to the port of Manila thus reducing significantly the stress and loss of weight to live hogs in transit.