By PIA-Bohol | 09:51 AM March 08, 2025
With the advisory on Avian Influenza (bird flu) outbreaks already confirmed in Luzon and in areas in Mindanao, Bohol is knows that a bird flu outbreak could be that blow that totals local livestock and the livelihood dependent on them, that it puts regulations on entry of potential carriers.
And apart from the usual documentary requirements which should be presented, checked and verified when the shipment comes, Gov Aumentado wants another document that would be the final screen which should decide if the shipment is allowed to get in.
Section 2 of the Executive Order No 15, series of 2025 states that as part of the regulations on the entry of possible carriers of the disease, paragraph 6 adds: Certificate of Acceptance from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian in Bohol would still be needed.
Through Executive Order No 15, series of 2025, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado has amended guidelines and regulate the entry of live poultry, captured wild ornamental birds, non-poultry, poultry products and by products here.
While Bohol has put out Executive Order No 19, series of 2022 which set the guidelines on the entry of live poultry, wild ornamental birds, non-poultry, poultry products and by-products, this time, the new EO specifies the prohibition on the entry of such from bird flu affected areas declared by the Department of Agriculture, unlike then in the old order which bans the entry of such from mainland Luzon, Mindanao and other affected areas.
The older EO allows the entry of such provided the shipment is accompanied by a veterinary health certificate from the Provincial veterinarian where the avian specie originated, plus a veterinary shipping permit issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry or its deputized Veterinary Quarantine Officer.
The shipment has also to show Avian Influenza Negative Test Results, like for game fowls: six months from date of last collection; day-old chicks: 28 days from date of last sample collection; hatching eggs: taken from the source farm and valid for 14 days from date of sample collection, and ready-to-lay pullets: 7 days prior to shipment.
Then, the shipment has also to show Certificate of AI-Free status issued by the Provincial Veterinarian stating that no bird flu outbreak has occurred in the source farm in the past 7 days prior to shipment and a Local Transport Permit issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for wild and domesticated birds.
In the new EO, which Aumentado signed February 24, 2025, reiterated the same documentary requirements for the entry of such named, the new EO adds another document: the Certificate of acceptance from the office of the provincial Veterinarian here.
To this, Aumentado said the additional safety measure to prevent the spread of bird flu to remaining disease free areas in the country, is set to ensure the supply chain continuity and the local food sufficiency, when Bohol would allow the movement of different poultry-related commodities.
Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease caused by avian influenza virus which affects all kinds of birds and poultry. (RAHC/PIA_7/Bohol)
