Customs tightens watch on livestock from China

MANILA, Philippines - Customs agents in ports and airports nationwide are on the lookout for livestock from China, and birds and poultry from Belgium and Canada following reports of a new rash of foot and mouth disease.

Jairus Paguntalan, Customs Intelligence and Enforcement Group officer-in-charge, said Agriculture Undersecretary Jesus Emmanuel Paras has asked the Bureau of Customs to ban these shipments after the World Animal Health Organization reported the outbreak of FMD in China, and bird flu at a turkey farm in British Columbia, a geese-breeding farm in East Flanders and two poultry farms and an aviary in Belgium.

“You are hereby directed to monitor/alert all shipments of cattle and other animals susceptible to the foot and mouth disease from China and birds and poultry, including their products, from Belgium and the Canadian province of British Columbia,” read Paguntalan’s memorandum to Customs agents.

The Philippines and Brunei are the only two Southeast Asian countries that are bird flu-free, according to Paras.

“(The BOC would not) relax our guard against unscrupulous traders planning to sneak in these prohibited items. We will charge those found to be in violation of Customs and other laws,” Paguntalan assured Paras.     – Evelyn Macairan