A SHORTAGE of supply in local pork is seen in the coming months due to the African Swine Fever (ASF), projections from the National Livestock Program (NLP) showed.
Seventeen provinces in 10 regions in the country have active ASF cases, according to data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
NLP projections showed that the shortage would be felt starting April and would intensify by June.
Nic Briones of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines lamented the government’s supposed lack of support to affected hog raisers, saying it affects the country’s livestock supply.
Briones said hog raisers in the Visayas have been greatly affected by ASF.
“Sa Region 6, kasama na Iloilo, Capiz, Roxas, tinatamaan. Tuluy-tuloy na ‘yan, ‘di na ‘yan mapipigil, hanggang maubos ang mga backyard raisers. Ang Cebu ganon din, napasok. Tuluy-tuloy na rin iyan,” Briones said.
He said the government must rethink policies in responding to ASF-affected areas.
He added hog raisers must receive P10,000 per culled swine to encourage them to repopulate.
But the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the country has an “enough supply” of frozen imported pork.
It also downplayed the looming shortage, saying this was only based on projects.
“Kung nakikita natin ang projection, talagang kukulangin tayo and that’s the time na sinasabi ko nga kanina, if we have the final figure, then we can say na ilan ba, if mag-i-import tayo, ilan ang volume na kailangan natin. Pero for now we cannot declare that,” said Agriculture deputy spokesperson Rex Estoperez.
“Mahirap kasi ‘yung may kanya-kanyang estimates. May estimate ang private sector, may estimate ang ating agency, i-harmonize natin iyon,” he added. (ABS-CBN News)
