THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is cracking down on livestock farms operating without the necessary permits as such facilities distort the country’s supply chain and price stability.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday, June 4, said the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has issued show cause orders to nine pig farms in Central Luzon: Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac.
The Agriculture chief said the nine farms must explain why they continue to operate “despite bypassing basic health, environmental, and safety regulations.”
Tiu Laurel said the lapses could jeopardize national efforts to stabilize pork supply and pricing, especially as the country recovers from the lingering effects of African Swine Fever (ASF).
“As we modernize Philippine agriculture, everyone must understand that unlicensed operations will not be tolerated,” he said.
He added: “Compliance is not optional — it is fundamental to protecting both consumers and the livelihoods of law-abiding farmers.”
The Agriculture chief said the move was in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to crack down on unregistered livestock facilities that “distort the food
For his part, acting BAI director Christian Daquigan said the show cause orders were served shortly after the midterm elections.
The BAI is currently evaluating responses from some of the farms, and further enforcement actions may follow.
Tiu Laurel said he has also instructed BAI to widen its inspection net and assess the compliance of other swine farms across the country.
The DA and BAI continue to review and monitor the operations of animal facilities nationwide to ensure adherence to licensing, health, and safety requirements — part of a broader effort to professionalize the livestock industry and protect public welfare, according to Tiu Laurel. (GMA Integrated News)
