The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) expects the next poultry harvest in July and August will help cut the current shortage of chicken supply.

During the “Laging Handa” public briefing on Tuesday, BAI officer-in-charge, Dr. Reildrin Morales, said the opening up of the economy prompted the increase in the demand for poultry supply.

In their recent meeting with some stakeholders, Morales said they were assured that the broiler production cycle is slowly coping.

“So tingnin po natin, iyong harvest ng July at ng August, kasi po ang sabi ng ibang mga kumpanya ay nasa full capacity naman daw po iyong kanilang mga farm at tingnan natin iyong darating na cycle, iyong harvest na iyan kung ano iyong magiging impact niyan (So let’s look at the July and August harvest because other companies say that their farms are now at full capacity. Let’s look at the coming cycle, that harvest, to see what will be the impact),” he said.

Morales said among the challenges faced by broiler producers that led to the shortage are high prices of imported feeds, such as corn and soya bean meal.

Bird flu

Other factors are the weather condition that extended the time in raising poultries from 32 to 42 days, continuous increase in the price of petroleum products that affects logistical operations, and the avian influenza already being experienced in some parts of the country.

Morales said the DA has already elevated its surveillance to prevent a possible outbreak of the avian influenza.

“Kung iyong isang lugar, halimbawa, dito sa Region 3 (Central Luzon) ay may cases na ng avian influenza at confirmed na, iyong atin pong surveillance ay ini-expand na po kaagad natin ito sa mga karatig probinsiya (If for example, if we already have confirmed cases of avian influenza in Region 3, we expand our surveillance to neighboring provinces),” he said.

Morales said local government veterinary offices nationwide are updating their surveillance by collecting samples.

“Nagpapakolekta na tayo ng mga sample sa kanila lahat nang sa ganoon po, hindi pa outbreak or wala pang full-blown outbreak, magkaroon kaagad tayo ng detection at maka-aksiyon po tayo ng mas mabilis, iyan po iyong purpose ng (We have ordered collection of samples so that while we do not have a full-blown outbreak yet, we would have an early detection that will prompt for an immediate action, that is the purpose of) surveillance as part of an early warning tool,” Morales explained.

He advised those who are in the poultry sector to be on guard, especially when it comes to biosecurity measures, to prevent diseases.

He urged them to immediately report to the nearest veterinary office or the Municipal Agriculture Office in case they experience unusual activities in their poultry farms.

He added that the government has available indemnification funds for raisers affected by the avian influenza. (PNA)