Screengrab from a video shows thousands of confiscated eggs being dumped at a landfill in San Fernando City, La Union, after authorities cited shipment discrepancies and possible avian influenza risk, a scene that drew public scrutiny following a viral video circulating on social media. (Screengrab from video of Bigbro Jojo)
CALASIAO, Pangasinan — After a video showing thousands of eggs being dumped at the San Fernando City landfill went viral and drew criticism on social media, the La Union Provincial Veterinary Office defended the disposal, saying it was carried out in accordance with existing regulations.
More than 20,000 eggs were confiscated from a dealer at the San Fernando City public market on Wednesday after provincial veterinary authorities found discrepancies in the shipment’s declared quantity.
READ: First PH case of new bird flu strain detected in Camarines Sur
Article continues after this advertisement
In a statement, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Dominic Calub III said the dealer had declared only 9,000 eggs in documents covered by a Bureau of Animal Industry Veterinary Shipping Permit.
FEATURED STORIES
NEWSINFO
NEWSINFO
NEWSINFO
However, upon inspection, authorities found that the shipment actually contained 30,240 eggs, a discrepancy that constituted a violation of Provincial Ordinance No. 4187-2023 on misdeclared cargo, Calub said.
Of the total shipment, 21,240 eggs were confiscated and later disposed of after being classified as unsafe for consumption because they were presumed to have originated from areas classified as red zones for avian influenza, or bird flu.
“Consumption of these eggs may pose a serious threat to human consumers. We cannot afford to allow eggs suspected of being infected with the avian influenza virus to be consumed by the public,” Calub said.
Some residents, however, questioned how authorities determined which eggs among the 30,240 pieces were allegedly unsafe, noting that all the eggs were transported in a single delivery van.
Article continues after this advertisement
A police report identified the dealer as Carmelo Aguinaldo, 70, of Tayug, Pangasinan. He was issued a violation receipt for breaching the provincial ordinance.
The report, however, cited only the cargo misdeclaration and did not indicate that the eggs originated from an area affected by avian influenza.
Article continues after this advertisement
La Union Governor Mario Ortega said the provincial government would continue to enforce strict veterinary border-control protocols to ensure compliance among dealers and safeguard consumer health and public safety. /jpv
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
Read the full article at Philippine Daily Inquirer →
PH