Agri-10 strengthens the execution of livestock feeds and animal welfare laws.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) Regulatory personnel convenes for the retooling on the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 1556, otherwise known as the Livestock and Poultry Feeds Act and RA 8485 Animal Welfare Act (AWA), on May 8-10, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

DA-10 Regulatory Division chief Eduardo N. Pit, PhD, said that the event aims to enhance the efficiency and monitoring capabilities of the deputized inspectors of the agency in ensuring compliance with feed safety standards and animal welfare regulations.

Presented topics were registration and licensing as provided in RA 1556 and RA 8485, feed establishment inspection checklist, product quality monitoring, animal handlers and accreditation of transport carrier and AWA inspection checklist.

DA-Bureau of Animal Industry Animal Feeds Veterinary Drugs and Biologics Control Division Senior Agriculturist Norman B. Tab discussed the laws and regulations pertaining to animal feed, such as the Food Safety Act and other legislation.

According to Tab, the act is essential for ensuring the quality and safety of feeds used in animal production, as well as safeguarding consumers from potential risks associated with contaminated feeds.

Meanwhile, Marie Shella G. Ordinario, DVM, head of the Animal Facilities Regulations Section of DA-BAI said that the AWA intends to safeguard and advance the welfare of all animals by monitoring and controlling the construction and upkeep of the facilities.

Ensuing the discussions, the division did doing mock inspections on the feed mill facility at M. Montesclaros Farms, Inc. located in Bagontaas, Valencia City, Bukidnon, and a cattle farm at NMACLRC, here, which serve as valuable training exercises involved in regulatory compliance and improving their preparedness for actual inspections.

Also supporting the activity is DA-10 Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM.# (MPMT)