Daily TribuneBiosecurity measures, including the setting up of first-border quarantine facilities at different ports for agricultural products, should be implemented to prevent the spread of animal diseases.
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The government should do more to keep an eye on African Swine Fever and other animal diseases to improve the country's biosecurity measures, an agriculture business leader said.
In a recent public webinar, Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. president Danilo Fausto said that improving biosecurity measures is essential for livestock, poultry, and dairy industries.
He said that only 15 percent of raw materials needed are made in the United States. This is because of problems like high production costs and inconsistent meat quality, among other things.
Fausto urged the government to solve ASF and other animal diseases to make the country's livestock, hogs, poultry, and dairy industries more competitive.
He also said that repopulating swine is necessary for making up for litter lost due to ASF.
Fausto said that the corn industry also needs to grow by getting better facilities and tools. Small farmers and people who raise chickens in their backyards use corn to feed chickens. Feeds make up more than half of the cost of producing pigs, chickens, and cows.
For the dairy industry to be more productive, he said there needs to be a buildup of the herd through genetic improvement and technical help. It is also important for local farmers to keep the government's milk-feeding program going.
