Poultry exports to Japan seen to resume soon

PHILIPPINES - The Philippines is anticipating to restore its export to Japan in one week after it voluntarily halted export after detecting H5 bird flu strain on three ducks in a farm in Calumpit, Bulacan which may not necessarily be pathogenic or disease causing strain of the dreaded bird flu.

Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director Jose Q. Molina said the government is hoping to immediately restore its poultry export to Japan.

"We’re hoping we can export again in one week. Yes (that’s possible), hope springs eternal. We (just) voluntarily stopped export so we could protect our credibility with the importing country. We didn’t want to issue any certification," Molina said in an interview.

He said government is still positive that the Philippines can achieve its 10,000 metric ton (MT) chicken export to Japan this year despite the detection of the H5 strain. In the first place, he said the bird flu strain may not at all be pathogenic (one that can cause a disease) which means the automatic stoppage on export may be lifted anytime.

"We’re confident we could still hit it. So far we see no disease, and we’re doing the testing and monitoring in that area where we imposed a three-kilometer quarantine," he said.

Source: The Manila Bulletin.

13 July 2005