DA holds seminar for livestock, poultry handlers

The Livestock Sector of the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA-7) recently held a registration and licensing seminar for livestock and poultry handlers and accreditation of livestock transport carriers at the DA-7 conference room in Subangdaku, Mandaue City, Cebu.

The activity was attended by 24 registration and licensing applicants, composed of livestock, poultry and egg handlers and transport carriers.

Livestock coordinator Joel Elumba tackled the department’s Administrative Order number 8, while Animal Welfare officer Verna Agriam discussed Repulic Act 8485, also known as the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.

Elumba said Administrative Order number 8 requires handlers of livestock and poultry products and by-products and operators of livestock transport vehicles and vessels to register and get a license and an accreditation from the department to maintain disease free areas and ensure safe and orderly handling of commodities.

For her part, Dr. Agriam touched on the proper handling and transport of animals pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act, control of diseases during shipment, quarantine rules and regulations and other responsibilities of a handler and accredited carrier.