February 11, 2010

Philippines awaits FMD-free pork export certification

The Philippines is hopeful that the Office Internationale des Epizooties (OIE) will certify the whole island of Luzon as free from the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that strikes live hogs.

Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) director Davinio Catbagan disclosed that the Scientific Commission of the OIE will be evaluating the application of the Philippines in a meeting scheduled on March 25.

"The timing of the meeting is good, as this will give the Philippines time to make the necessary adjustments should issues crop up prior to the awarding of the recognition," said Catbagan. He also said that the withdrawal of vaccination for hogs is a possible contentious issue.

Zone 1 comprises Northern Luzon, Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Automonous Region and part of Central Luzon. Zone 2 comprises the rest of Central Luzon, National Capital Region (NCR) and Calabarzon. Zone 3 consists of Mimaropa and the Bicol region.

Reildrin Morales, national coordinator of the BAI's FMD programme, noted that while all the regions in Luzon have already withdrawn vaccination for hogs, Central Luzon and Calabarzon withdrew vaccination for less than a year.

"The prescription is that the withdrawal of vaccination should have been made at least 12 months. The rest of Luzon has withdrawn vaccination for more than a year or so," said Morales. He assured that measures were put in place to ensure the integrity of Zones 1 and 3.

Manila has been banking on the OIE to declare Luzon as FMD - free so its pork exports could go into high gear. The certification is expected to increase the confidence of importers in the quality and safety of Manila's pork products.

Since 1996, Morales disclosed that the Philippine government has so far spent around PHP500 million for its FMD eradication programme. Visayas and Mindanao have long been declared by the OIE as FMD-free.