MANILA90jili, Philippines —  The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking P300 million to purchase 30 million doses of vaccines against avian influenza (AI) or bird flu to strengthen the local poultry industry’s protection against the transboundary animal disease.

“We are doing the trials now and we are looking for the budget. The vaccine for AI could be released by March next year,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

He added that the invitation was sent on short notice, only four days before the hearing, with the House quadcom's invitation dated October 18.

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They were also ordered to pay their victims P300,000 in moral, civil and exemplary damages.

“Once that comes out, we would need a budget of P300 million,” Tiu Laurel added.

The target of the government’s AI vaccination drive will be layers or chickens that lay eggs, according to the agriculture chief.

He said the policy guidelines for the AI vaccination are still being formulated.

Tiu Laurel disclosed that the DA has ongoing talks with Boehringer Ingelheim with regard to the bird flu vaccine.

He said the German pharmaceutical firm was the first to express intention to supply bird flu vaccines to the Philippines.

Boehringer Ingelheim currently supplies France with bird flu vaccines.90jili