Agriculture
Camarines Norte declared avian flu-free
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared Camarines Norte free from avian influenza (AI), following effective containment measures and surveillance. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed the resolution of the outbreak, which began last December when the H5N2 strain of AI was detected on a backyard duck farm in Talisay.
DA eyes $1B World Bank loan for sustainable agriculture
The World Bank and the Philippine government are moving forward with a landmark agreement that could reshape the country’s agriculture sector. At a recent meeting, agriculture secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and World Bank country director Zafer Mustafaoglu reviewed the progress of the Philippine Sustainable Agricultural Transformation (PSAT) loan program, with the goal of finalizing the USD1 billion loan agreement in July.
BOC uncovers fish smuggling in frozen food shipments
Agriculture secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday led an inspection of shipments at the Manila South Harbor and laid bare long suspected fish smuggling operations. The inspection revealed that 19 container vans, initially declared as processed plant-based commodities like taro sticks and sweet potato balls, were actually loaded with frozen mackerel and galunggong or scad.
Unregistered importer caught declaring onion as processed food
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has haled Chastity Consumer Goods Trading before the Olongapo City Prosecutor’s Office for misdeclaring imported onions as processed food, in violation of the Food Safety Act and the Plant Quarantine Law of 1978.
Agri chief promotes ice plants to reduce waste
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. is promoting the establishment of a network of solar-powered ice plants to reduce spoilage and post-harvest losses in agricultural and fisheries products.
