THE Department of Agriculture’s (DA's) Bureau of Animal Industry Veterinary Quarantine Services (BAI–VQS) backed by policemen seized a shipment of undocumented 10,000 kilos of chicken meat and by-products in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, an official said.
Dr. Marie France Jalao, DA regional regulatory chief, said the shipment was intercepted Tuesday, October 27, at the feeder port of Galas, Dipolog City, the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Norte.
Jalao said the shipment of chicken meat and by-products arrived Tuesday, October 27, in Dipolog City coming from Cebu City.
“We received a report from our BAI-VQS officer, Dr. Darwin Abadilla, on this matter. The shipper failed to present the proper documents needed for the entry of these products in the city, in our region. Immediately, Dr. Abadilla together with the Dipolog Quarantine response team seized the effects and were held in their BAI custody for proper disposal,” Jalao said.
She said the confiscation of the shipment was carried out by BAI in coordination with other agencies like the police, port officials, Dipolog City government and Commission on Audit.
“We are very grateful for the efforts that the Dipolog City LGU (local government unit) and the Galas Port management, PNP (Philippine National Police) and our partner agencies that despite unfavorable weather were very active and supportive. Thank you to the responders who remain vigilant in our campaign on food safety,” she said.
“We continuously appeal to all to help in disseminating our proper procedures for meat, meat products transport, including animal transport. We do not want any disease(s) to infect our livestock and poultry industries in the region,” Jalao added.
The confiscated chicken meat and by-products were properly disposed of in a vacant lot near the slaughterhouse in Dicayas village, Dipolog City. (SunStar Zamboanga)