800 infected chicken intercepted in Malasiqui
SOME eight hundred chicken found to be infected and being smuggled into Pangasinan were intercepted in Malasiqui town by provincial and municipal veterinary office personnel and were culled immediately.
Jovelito Alamar, Malasiqui municipal agriculturist, said the stock of chicken being hauled in a truck-driven garong, was intercepted at the town’s remote boundaries.
The driver and companion could only produce documents with expired dates.
“Dumaan sila sa mga lugar na walang checkpoint, alam nila ang pupuntahan nila”, said Alamar.
Upon closer observation, the inspectors were shocked to see that most of the chicken were sick, dying or dead
The cargo reportedly came from Nueva Ecija and the culled chicken are sold in the neighboring towns of Calasiao, Bayambang, and San Carlos City.
Dr. Jovito Tabajeros, provincial veterinarian, suspected the stock was sourced from an infected farm.
“Agad na isinailalim sa culling operations ang mga manok matapos na kumpiskahin”, he said.
Tabajeros warned potential smugglers since the provincial government restricted the entry of poultry from neighboring provinces to prevent the entry of NewCastle disease and the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza.
It was the fourth interception of attempts to smuggle banned chicken in the province. Other interceptions were done in towns of Manaoag, Binalonan, and Sta. Barbara.
The provincial veterinary office will set up more checkpoints in suspected routes of smugglers. (Ahikam Pasion)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
