Temporary ban may cause unstable egg prices

The reimposition of the temporary ban of live birds and egg products from the areas of Luzon and Mindanao in Iloilo City due to threats of bird flu may result to instability of egg prices, according to the City Veterinarian Office (CVO).

Hence, the City Veterinarian Dr. Tomas Forteza, appealed to poultry raisers and stakeholders to halt possible plans of increasing egg prices due to the temporary ban amid the high oil prices.

“Ang table eggs, we don’t expect ma-stabilize ang price. Ang ginaapangayo lang naton nga ang sa price nato nga tani indi bala magtaas, kon pwede for the sake of consumers buligan man in times of crisis,” he said in an interview on Thursday with Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo.

Forteza added that table eggs have become a staple food to everyone as it is readily available especially among indigents.

“Egg is a readily available food for everyone, especially sa breakfast. Kabay pa panumdumon nila sang aton stakeholders ang dilemma diri and consider ang mga consumers,” he said.

The City Veterinarian said poultry raisers and stakeholders have assured their office that there are enough egg products to supply the needs of the consumers in the metro.

He also stressed the need of stakeholders to intensify their biosecurity measures.

“I hope the poultry raisers will be serious in their biosecurity para indi sila masudlan, so that they could supply the needs here in Iloilo,” he said.

Based on the latest price monitoring of the Department of Agriculture Region 6, chicken eggs are priced at P7 per piece, as of last week of June.

Effective on Thursday, Iloilo City reimposed the ban on live birds and egg products from Luzon and Mindanao due to threats of bird flu through Executive Order (EO) No. 5 issued by the mayor.

The temporary ban shall last for a period of 30 days and shall cover poultry and non-poultry animals from Luzon and Mindanao such as day-old breeder chicks, ready to lay pullets, poultry semen, hatching eggs, live ducks, quails, gamefowls, and pigeons for racing, flying, training, breeding, and other related activities originating from Luzon and Mindanao.

The ban also covers table eggs, salted eggs, quail eggs, and embryonated eggs or balut from Luzon and Mindanao. (DG)