To certify the quality of the feeds and the safety of the animals, the Department of Agriculture- MiMaRoPa (DA-MiMaRoPa) thru Regulatory Division conducted the 3rd MiMaRoPa Cluster Animal feeds, Veterinary Drugs, and Biological Products Establishments Forum held at San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on July 2-3, 2019.
This forum was attended by the different animal feeds shop owners, Veterinary Drugstore Owners, Veterinarians from the municipalities of the province, and people who are interested to venture in animal feed business.
Ms. Helen O. Aceret, Regulatory Division Chief, discussed to the participants the rationale and application of the Republic Act 10611 also known as the Food Safety Act of 2013. She defined the food safety as “the assurance that food will not cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared or eaten according to its intended use.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Mardi M. Caniban from Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), discussed the provision and application of the R.A 1556 (Livestock and Poultry Feeds Act) and its sanctions if establishment owners failed to follow the said law. She mentioned that the feed store owners or anyone who has business involving animal feeds and animal drugs should know this law to make sure that they will be selling good quality feeds and drugs to their customers.
Mr. Reynon G. de Mesa also from BAI discussed the inspection and evaluation of establishments and sample collection. He told the participants on what to prepare for the inspection and what are the things needed to make sure the quality of the feeds will not easily perish due to improper storage. He cited some examples of the store owner who got fined for their feeds since a customer came to complained about one of their pig got sick a day after eating feeds bought from them.
BAI is collecting feed samples in every store to monitor the quality of the feeds in the market to monitor its quality. With this, Mr. de Mesa emphasized the importance of proper storage and ventilation of the feeds to maintain its quality. “Dapat po na masigurado natin ana maayos at maganda ang kalidad ng mga feeds para po sa huli hindi po tayo balikan ng mga customer kung sakaling may mangyaring hindi maganda,” he said.
After Mr. De Mesa’s discussion, Dr. Carla A. Limsan, the Focal person for Anti- Microbial Resistance (AMR) talked about the importance of the proper usage of antibiotic. She emphasized that bacteria can become antibiotic-resistant if proper usage of the medicine is not followed that causes more serious infection translating to longer treatment.
Participants appreciated such activity for it could help them in maintaining a healthy and safe livestock industry.
“Napakaganda po ng ganitong pagkikita sapagkat nasasabi naming ang mga kailangan naming para mas maiayos ang sistema ng pagbabantay sa kalidad ng mga feeds para na din sa kaligtasan ng lahat ng mga mamimili” said Dr. Nathanniel Descanzo, Municipal Veterinarian of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.
After the activity, the participants signed on the commitment wall that will serve as their promise that they will be following the rules and regulations on selling their products. With this, the DA-MiMaRoPa can assure that the animal feeds, and drugs in the province will be safe for the animals and humans.
