Agriculture
DA OKs importation of 25,000 MT pelagic fishes in 4Q due to closed fishing season
The importation is in anticipation of reduced fish supply due to the implementation of the three-month closed fishing season that starts November 1 in waters northeast of Palawan and from November 15 in the Visayan Sea and Zamboanga Peninsula. All three areas are spawning grounds for small pelagic fishes like sardines and mackerel.
DA rules out agency revamp following recent Ombudsman orders
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. ruled out a major revamp in agencies of the Department of Agriculture after a series of decisions by the Office of the Ombudsman relieving the heads of the National Food Authority and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
El Niño weakening but manifestations seen continuing until May—PAG-ASA
The El Niño phenomenon is weakening although its most obvious manifestations of hotter and drier conditions will continue to be felt across the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAG-ASA.
DA declares Bulacan avian influenza-free
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. has declared the entire province of Bulacan free of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, particularly the H5N1 strain, after a series of infections was reported from 2022 through May last year.
Front loaded meat imports in May failed to lift downturn in 2023
The country imported 11 percent less meat in 2023 of only 1.2 billion kilograms versus 1.36 billion kilograms in 2022, according to data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
