DA warns unscrupulous traders as BAI seizes 60 hogs in QC checkpoint

By Stephanie Sevillano, Phiilppine News Agency

SEIZED HOGS. Personnel of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) seize 60 hogs at the Tandang Sora checkpoint in Quezon City on Thursday (Aug. 15, 2024). The transporter presented fake shipping documents and veterinary health certificates. (Photo courtesy of Department of Agriculture via PNA)

MANILA – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday warned unscrupulous traders as the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) seized 60 hogs from a transporter with fake documents at a checkpoint in Quezon City.

This came a day after the operation in eight inspection sites in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas as part of the DA’s intensified biosecurity measures against African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza (AI).

“This seizure, which we hope will be the first and last, should be a clear warning to unscrupulous traders that we mean business. We cannot compromise public health, the viability of the local livestock industry, and the country’s food safety and security,” Laurel said in a statement.

The DA said a transporter bound for a slaughterhouse in Caloocan City, allegedly from Sariaya, Quezon, presented a Certificate of Free Status-African Swine Fever clearance.

Other documents presented, however, including veterinary Local Government Unit Local Shipping Permits and veterinary health certificates, were found to be fake.

The transporter also failed to present a local shipping permit from the BAI, it added.

The confiscated hogs will undergo ASF testing and will be condemned once proven to be infected.

Biosecurity checkpoints are located in Commonwealth, Mindanao Avenue, Tandang Sora, and EDSA Balintawak in Quezon City; Marulas and Malanday in Valenzuela City; animal quarantine checkpoint in Barangay Turbina, Calamba, Laguna; Star Tollway, Sto. Tomas, Batangas; and animal quarantine checkpoint in Barangay Amuyong, Alfonso, Cavite.