Press Release
February 27, 2008

ANGARA TO SPEAK BEFORE BAI'S 78th FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY

Senator Edgardo J. Angara will deliver a speech before the Bureau of Animal Industry on its 78th Founding Anniversary in Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City on February 28.

With the theme, "BAI @ 78 - Focusing on Best Practices in Animal Production and Food Safety for Competitive Domestic and Global Markets", Angara will speak about the importance of the first stage of food chain to maximize food safety as well as practices in controlling the health status of animals where food products are mostly derived.

In 1930, the Bureau of Animal Industry was created under Republic Act 3639 which divided the then Bureau of Agriculture into two distinct entities, the Bureau of Plant Industry and the Bureau of Animal Industry.

Under Section 5 of Republic Act 3639, the powers, functions and duties of the Bureau of Agriculture concerning domestic animals and animal diseases were transferred to and vested in the Bureau of Animal Industry.

As former secretary of agriculture in 1999 to 2001, he had the opportunity to implement his own creation, Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA).

Angara is the author of the AFMA in 1997, which benefited farmers and fisherfolk with improved seeds and plant materials, better irrigation, better financing and market access.

He oversaw an improvement of food production programs and support services that led to a bigger harvest of rice, a development that underscored the drive to attain self-sufficiency. Overall, the agricultural sector saw a growth rate of three percent since 2000, compared with a 1.2 percent growth over the past two decades.

Angara's most recent agricultural initiative is the act extending the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF). The continuation of the Fund is helpful in equipping our farmers with precious little funding support for post harvest facilities, farm-to-market roads, and research and development.

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