DA, hog raisers allay concerns on pork quality amid ASF resurgence

By Stephanie Sevillano, Philippine News Agency

In a press conference, DA Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry Constante Palabrica said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has increased its checkpoints to 12 areas in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon to prevent the spread of ASF. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) and hog raisers industry allayed concerns over the safety and quality of retail pork products amid the resurgence of African swine fever (ASF).

In a press conference, DA Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry Constante Palabrica said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has increased its checkpoints to 12 areas in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon to prevent the spread of ASF.

“Napaka-effective nitong checkpoints na ito, ayaw naming magping-pong iyong mga baboy mula sa infected areas sa (These checkpoints are very effective, we don’t want to pass on swine from infected areas to) uninfected areas north to South, south to north,” Palabrica said.

For his part, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) executive director Jayson Cainglet said that ASF cases among “fastbreak” hogs or infected hogs smuggled from affected areas, are just being highlighted due to the government’s stringent biosecurity checkpoints.

“Kaya nga doon nagkaroon ng parang pangamba ang mga mamimili sa pagkain ng baboy. Pero hindi siya, kumbaga sa amin sa industry, hindi siya kumbaga nakakabahala (That may be the cause of consumers’ fears in eating pork. But it’s not, on the part of our industry, a cause of concern),” he said in a separate ambush interview, citing a stable supply of ASF-free hogs.

National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. (NatFed) chairperson Chester Warren Tan, likewise, cited adequate sources of safe pork products.

“Marami tayong sources na makukuha sa (We have many sources in) North Luzon, even South Luzon, hindi naman po lahat. Very isolated lang din po yung mga cases (not all [are ASF-infected]. The cases re very isolated),” he said, referring to the resurgence of ASF cases in Batangas.

He also assured that all pork products available in local markets and supermarkets have passed the inspection of the National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS).

“Iyong ating (our) pork is safe to eat, lalo na yung produce natin dito sa (especially our) locally-produced,” Tan said.

Intercepted hogs

Palabrica, meanwhile, cited the immediate condemnation of seized hogs after the interception of transporters who lacked or had no legitimate documents at various checkpoints.

“As of now, ang nako-condemn namin ay close to 200, mayroon pang nahuli kagabi, mahigit isangdaan, ibabaon iyan (we have condemned close to 200, we seized seized over a hundred [hogs] last night. We will also bury that),” he said.

Palabrica highlighted the DA’s strong partnership with the Quezon City local government unit (LGU).

“As a highly-urbanized city, bawal ang piggery at livestock sa Quezon City kaya pinaiigting natin ang inspeksyon. Minabuti nating tumulong sa BAI para matiyak na hindi kumalat ang virus sa ibang lugar para hindi makaapekto at makapaminsala sa kabuhayan ng ating QCitizens (piggery and livestock are banned in Quezon City. We are helping the BAI to ensure that the virus will not spread to other areas and destroy the livelihoods of our constituents),” QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

Belmonte said four trucks have been intercepted in the city, with around 188 hogs positive for ASF and 153 heads held due to ASF symptoms.

Besides stricter checkpoints, Palabrica also cited the DA’s higher indemnification to urge farmers to refrain from selling infected hogs to markets.

Under the higher indemnification, farmers may receive PHP4,000 per infected piglet, PHP8,000 for medium-sized hogs, and PHP12,000 per sow or boar.

ASF vaccination

Meanwhile, the orientation and validation of eligible farmers for the government-controlled vaccination using 10,000 doses of emergency-procured ASF AVAC live vaccines, are also underway in Lobo, Batangas.

Hog industry groups, meanwhile, expressed hopes for “affordable” vaccines in the future commercial sale to mitigate the impact of ASF.

“As low as possible. Kung pwede nga (If it’s feasible), PHP100,” Tan said.

Palabrica, however, said the DA is expediting procedures to increase the number of suppliers of ASF vaccines in the country, since initial costs range from PHP400 to PHP500 per vaccine dose.

Overall, the DA targets to distribute 600,000 doses of ASF live vaccines for its government-controlled vaccinations.