Avian flu scare pulls down demand for poultry products

Demand for poultry products has softened, as even farms spared from the avian flu saw fewer orders following another outbreak in Nueva Ecija, according to Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez.

A week after the government declared an avian flu outbreak in Pampanga, authorities confirmed on Friday that the virus had also been found in at least two towns in Nueva Ecijia, raising concerns in the market.

The towns in Nueva Ecija, Jaen and San Isidro, are about 32 kilometers away from San Luis, Pampanga, where the virus was first reported.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said tests had confirmed that the towns had the same avian flu virus strain found in Pampanga.

“The situation is still relatively contained in some farms and the Department of Agriculture acted swiftly to cure the virus and prevent its spread to other areas. Unfortunately, the poultry trade of non-affected farms and in market retailers is suffering from weaker demand, which we hope will not be prolonged,” Lopez told the Inquirer.

Lopez based his assessment on media reports and interviews in public markets.

“But we noticed that branded chicken known for quality products and strict standards are still being purchased,” he added.

When asked if poultry exports would be put on hold, at least until authorities verify that the virus has indeed not spread to other areas, he said that the private firms were themselves checking the quality of their exports.

“The companies themselves are taking precautionary measures first in ensuring that their exports will be accepted by the buyers before they export their products,” he explained.

He said that better information dissemination on the safety of poultry products from certified farms can help revive demand.

A total of 28,000 layer chickens, 22,000 ducks, 57,000 native chickens and 200,000 quails were affected by the outbreak in Nueva Ecija, according to Piñol. The number of affected birds, which total to 307,000, far exceeds the 37,000 fowls affected in Pampanga.

Authorities have since tried to address the concerns of the public.

The Department of Health advised the public to remain calm but vigilant given that the problem is an animal health concern, and not a threat to public health.