The future is bright for Negros Occidental to export its meat and its by-products in three years time after drought has affected and damaged the livestock production of the United States of America, Dr. Renante Decena, provincial veterinarian, said yesterday.

Decena said that the drought has affected the supply of meat and its derivatives in the world market since USA and Canada are the biggest importers of these.

The Philippines, recognized as a foot and mouth disease-free country, is qualified to export its animals and animal products to supply the needs of neighboring Asian countries, and the province has an advantage, he said.

Decena also said it will take three to five years for USA, particularly areas in the Midwest to recover from the drought.

China also needs more meat products as their corn plantation has been damaged by flood, and corn is important in livestock production because it provides the nutrients animals need, he added.

Negros Occidental has the resources, capable and highly trained staff, and organized raisers who manage and develop animal health extension services to achieve quality breeding and meat products, Decena said.

The province also has abundant supply of farm wastes like cane tops, rice straws, grasses, and molasses that can be used as cattle fattening and in sheep breeding, he added.

The province now has a surplus in chicken meat and these products are exported to Singapore and Japan, Decena said, adding that the Negros is positioning itself to become the lamb capital of the Philippines in two years.

Cattle breeding in the province are now being developed for the export market, he said.

In 2005, the World Organization for Animal Health declared the Philippines as FMD-free and the country managed to maintain this until this year without providing vaccinations to animals, Decena added. *LTG

back to top