At the 15th Meeting of the Asean Sectoral Working Group on Livestock at the Purple Jade, Centrepoint, Pengiran Hjh Mariana, who was the guest of honour, noted in her speech that, "I am very confident that our technical groups will strive to achieve their objectives at this meeting, to progress towards the realisation of regional cooperation projects for the Regulation of Production and Utilisation of Animal Vaccines as well as the Promotion of International Trade in Livestock and Livestock Products".

"The regional cooperation among Asean members is fully supported by our respective governments. The 28th Meeting of Asean Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry held on November 16, 2006 in Singapore recognised the current situation on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which remains a serious threat to the Asean region," she added

"The Brunei poultry industry which contributes approximately 69 per cent of the total income of the agriculture sector has indirectly experienced the negative effects such as the increase in price of imported fertilised eggs and generally through the chain reaction the price of meat in the local market. Although self-sufficient in the supply of poultry eggs and meat, Brunei is still importing a substantial amount of fertilised eggs from our neighbours.

"Brunei is fortunate to be able to continuously carry out our capacity and capability building and strategic surveillance programme. The establishment of the National Committee on the Handling of the Influenza Pandemic of Brunei chaired by His Royal Highness The Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office in 2004 and the approval of a significant allocation of budget for the purpose of compensation and capacity building reflect the commitment from the highest authority of the Government of His Majesty."