Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur Yap said the Philippines remain free of the avian influenza or bird flu and the continuous disease control and eradication programs of the Bureau of Animal Industry have boosted chances for the whole Philippines to be declared totally free from the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) by the Animal Health Organization by the end of 2008 or early 2009.

Surveillance, vaccination, quarantine and treatment programs to fight cholera, Newcastle, fowl pox and other hog and chicken diseases are also being stepped up by the DA on its own or in partnership with local government units (LGUS).

For cattle, the DA has been undertaking, among others, programs on breeder stock infusion and genetic improvement as well as land tenure and pasture lease negotiations, according to DA Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup.

Moreover, the DA has a slew of initiatives like the pork-in-a-box project that is meant to provide consumers with greater access but affordable beef, chicken and pork products, the DA officials said.

ASEC Salacup said they have been monitoring the domestic market situation and work out further intervention measures that might be needed to further boost domestic production and stabilize both supply and prices of these basic foodstuff.

The DA have been working with leaders of livestock and poultry groups on issues affecting these industries and have been working with these people to meet the meat, poultry and egg requirements of Filipino consumers, Salacup said.