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WHEREAS, Avian Influenza is major threat to public health and to the Philippine Poultry Industry;

WHEREAS, foreign governments, the World Health Organization (WHO) and all other concerned organizations are all gearing for AI pandemic preparedness; while European Union (EU) declared a global threat to Avian Influenza;

WHEREAS, while many other Asian countries have been afflicted with the disease, the Philippines remain Avian Influenza free;

WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health, together with the poultry industry, had prepared and is now implementing an Avian Influenza Protection Program (AIPP);

WHEREAS, under the AIPP protocol, contacts between local duck, other domestic fowls and migratory birds are to be avoided since recent studies shows that waterfowls are critical link in the spread of Avian Influenza and that ducks are asymptomatic carriers of the disease;

WHEREAS, in Thailand and other countries, it was found that the outbreak of Avian Influenza was concentrated in areas where ducks commonly graze.

WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Animal Industry, to protect the local poultry and livestock population from communicable diseases;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DOMINGO F. PANGANIBAN, Secretary of Agriculture, in accordance with the powers vested in me by law, do hereby issue this Administrative Order prescribing guidelines in the management of duck farms:

1. Itinerant or open grazing of ducks is banned during the months of October to March in areas that are sanctuaries of migratory birds as determined by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. These areas are listed in Annex I^* of this Administrative Order.

2. Within October to March, these areas shall be monitored closely by a Team from the DENR, the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry, the DA Livestock Development Council, the LGU and representative(s) from the duck farmers in the area concerned.

3. During the monitoring period, additional areas may be included or areas may be excluded from the ban.

4. Local Government Units may issue the resolutions and appropriate guidelines necessary for the effective implementation of this Order including possible penalties for non-compliance.

5. Duck raisers are encouraged to observe the following management practices of their farms:

 

- Strict biosecurity measures
- Secure the farm from intrusions of other birds including migratory birds by putting up security fence with a gateway to control access to farms.
- Avoid multi-species farming i.e. raising other poultry and livestock together with ducks.
- Undertake such other measures necessary to prevent contacts between local ducks and migratory birds.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 28 Oct. 2005

(SGD.) DOMINGO F. PANGANIBAN
Secretary

^* Not filed with ONAR.