MANDATORY TESTING FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA AMONG COMMERCIAL AND BACKYARD POULTRY FARMS

WHEREAS, Avian Influenza is a viral disease of birds transmissible to humans and to other animal species and is caused by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus;

WHEREAS, the disease is known to cross borders and is now widespread in distribution;

WHEREAS, it is the primary duty of the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Animal Industry to safeguard the health of our poultry and livestock population;

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 280 spelled out the roles of the Department in matters pertaining to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza;

WHEREAS, the National Avian Influenza Preparedness Program has been established to guide all stakeholders in the conduct of preventing its entry, in its diagnosis, and in its control;

WHEREAS, poultry breeder farms which have laboratory facilities perform screening tests for the presence of Avian Influenza Virus;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARTHUR C. YAP, Officer-in-Charge of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby promulgate the following guidelines in the mandatory testing for Avian Influenza Virus;

1. The sampling design drawn up by the National Avian Influenza Preparedness Program will be used as the basis for the collection of samples;

2. Results of screening tests for Avian Influenza be furnished the Bureau of Animal Industry;

3. Representatives of the Program must have access to poultry breeding farms for the collection of the required samples, and for validation of data;

4. Expenses in the testing of samples from backyard farms will be charged to the program; for those in the private sector, they have to shoulder said expenses;

5. Collection of samples and testing thereof will be done regularly at 6-months interval;

6. This shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Adopted: 5 Aug. 2004