By Aerol B. Patena
MANILA, Feb 1 (PNA) — The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) and the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has recently published manuals that would serve as a benchmark for policies on the control of swine respiratory diseases in the country.
The material namely “Lung scoring: A tool for improving swine respiratory disease investigation, diagnosis and control,” and “Field sample collection: A quick reference for swine respiratory disease investigation and diagnosis” were the result of the PCAARRD-ACIAR’s project in support of research and development (R&D) initiatives for swine respiratory disease surveillance and diagnosis.
“Its publication aims to foster capacity-building activities and cultivate adoption of best practices in the industry, particularly among veterinarians and technical field personnel involved in disease surveillance,” PCAARRD said in a statement.
These manuals may also serve as reference for researchers, teachers, and students.
The launch was held during the project’s joint R&D program review at the Oasis Hotel, Angeles City, Pampanga.
Project partners from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 3–Regional Animal Disease Diagnosis Laboratory (DA RFU 3–RADDL), Provincial Veterinary Offices (PVOs) of Bulacan and Pampanga, and University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia participated in the review and launch.
PCAARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon, Australian Project Leader Patrick Blackall, and ACIAR Programme Manager for Animal Health Mike Nunn led the handover ceremonies of the manuals to project partners.
With the turnover of the manuals, it is expected that the project will be continued by the local government units as regulatory and implementing agencies for pig health. (PNA)