Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) The Department of Agriculture (DA) is open to subsidizing poultry feed amid the rising prices of eggs.
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“I do not see any reason why we shouldn’t explore looking into putting subsidy on feeds, considering this is also an agricultural input. We can discuss it with the livestock group…Helping the livestock sector is definitely something that has to be continued,” DA spokesperson Kristine Evangelista said Saturday.
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The DA said it is also working with the Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA) to identify supply “bottlenecks.”
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“Right now, what we are doing also is to eliminate certain layers of traders. Hopefully, mas maganda ang production ng [there is better production of] eggs,” she said.
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Eggs are currently being sold for ₱9 to ₱10 each. PEBA said farmgate prices only range from ₱6.20 to ₱7.20.
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READ: Egg prices rise to over ₱9 per piece
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The DA attributed the price hike partly to bird flu.
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READ: DA: Effect of bird flu pushed egg prices up
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Eight regions are currently affected by disease, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Friday.
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Seven farms in Ilocos Sur and another in North Cotabato have active cases among their native chickens and ducks. Infections were also reported in Pampanga and Bulacan.
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No infections have been reported in humans, the DOH said.
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