Pernia says bird flu is not a major GDP changer
 

http://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/t...=f&x=455&y=301The country's chief economist downplayed any adverse impact of the bird flu outbreak on the economy. "Agriculture has very small contribution to GDP (gross domestic product), I think one percent or less than one percent. So, in that context, it is not going to be a major GDP changer," Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia told reporters on the sidelines of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Forum in Manila on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of birds in Pampanga and Nueva Ecija have been culled by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to stop the H5N6 bird flu virus from spreading in other parts of the country.Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol earlier said the outbreak will negatively impact the agriculture sector in the third quarter of the year, emphasizing the psychological effect on consumption of poultry and poultry products. Piñol is loosening up the control measures. "So I think it's okay," Pernia said. The DA on Tuesday lifted the ban on shipments of poultry and poultry products from Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao upon recommendation of the biosecurity team and the National Meat Inspection Service. Poultry products must not come from the 7-kilometer control radius of affected areas in San Luis, Pampanga and in the towns of Jaen and San Isidro in Nueva Ecija. ? VDS, GMA News

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