Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez have issued a joint executive order establishing the guidelines for the ban on the entry of all live domestic and wild birds, and their products, including eggs and manure, from areas with reported cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu.
The ban covers live birds and their products from Luzon, Mindanao, Panay and Guimaras.
Exempted from the ban are raw poultry meat regardless of shipping origin, subject to compliance with requirements.
The guidelines set the powers and responsibilities of veterinary inspectors.
The EO also outlines also outlines the strengthening of biosafety, hygiene and sanitation standards, and inter-agency heightened patrols.*