ILOILO – Swine raising industry players in Panay Island urged the provincial government to expand its ban on African swine flu-affected pork from just two provinces – Rizal and Bulacan – to the whole of Luzon Island.
“We believe this is the only way to protect the province from the African swine flu (ASF),” read part of their letter to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on Oct. 7.
They suggested a three-month total ban on live swine, pork and its byproducts from the country’s biggest island.
Last month, Defensor issued Executive Order No. 159 temporarily banning pork, pork products and by-products from Rizal and Bulacan provinces where ASF cases had been confirmed and the following countries: China, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Belgium, Bulgaria, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Luxembourg, Latvia, Poland, and Romania.
Panay swine raisers assured Defensor that Iloilo – and the whole Region 6 for that matter – has more than enough supply of pork and could meet Western Visayas’ demand for it.
“In fact we can still ship out live pigs to other places,” added the group led by Maria Fe P. Sy.
It pointed out that Aklan also ordered a three-month ban on Luzon pork.
This “temporary ban is one of the best solutions to protect our province from ASF and in doing so, we can be one of the best suppliers of pork if worst scenario will happen in Luzon,” the letter further read.
Defensor said he would seek legal opinion from Atty. Hansel Didulo, the Ilonggo assistant secretary for regulations of the Department of Agriculture, regarding the proposed total ban.
“ASF is a threat to the swine industry and the food security of the province,” Defensor stressed in issuing Executive Order No. 159 on the temporary ban last month.
He also ordered strict veterinary quarantine procedures in seaports and at the Iloilo International Airport by the quarantine teams of the municipalities of Cabatuan, Dumangas, Ajuy, Estancia, and Carles.
Only those that meet the regulatory requirements of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) would be allowed to enter Iloilo.
The following are the requirements:
* veterinary health certificate (VHC) and veterinary shipping permit
* livestock handler’s permit
* livestock and poultry transport / carrier certificate
* certificate of vehicle registration
* disinfection clearance
* farm registration
The executive order also stated that “all swine, pork, pork products and by-products shall be accompanied by National Meat Inspection Service or Local Government Unit Meat Inspection Certificate.”/PN
