SAN JOSE, Antique – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Antique has monitored 92 business establishments as part of the strengthened campaign against African swine fever (ASF) in products sold in stores.
“From Feb. 1 to 24, we were able to visit 92 major stores and other grocery stores to check if they have goods that came from ASF-affected areas,” Trade and Industry specialist Glen Fernando said.
Fernando said the monitoring was conducted with the help of Negosyo Center counselors and more inspections would be conducted.
ASF is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease that spreads rapidly in pigs. Since there is no known vaccine against it yet – sick pigs die in two to 10 days – ASF is detrimental to the hog industry.
“Upon our advice, supermarkets and grocery store owners also voluntarily pulled out their pork-based food items from ASF-affected areas on display,” said Fernando. “So far, there was no violent reaction from them.”
The next plan is to visit restaurants to ensure that they do not serve pork-based food items from ASF-affected areas such as Luzon and Mindanao.
It will be conducted together with the Provincial Veterinary Office and the ASF Task Force.
Backyard hogs in the province might get ASF from the food leftovers if restaurants do not practice caution, Fernando said.
Also in effect is Provincial Ordinance 2020-242 prohibiting “the carrying, transport, shipment distribution, storing, trading, marketing, and sale of live pigs, boar semen, pork, and pork products, including but not limited to canned goods and food items containing pork originated from, manufactured, and/or processed anywhere in the country and countries affected by ASF.” (PNA)
