Philippine hog group says pork safe amid ebola scare

The Philippines' biggest group of hog farmers declared that pork is still safe for eating amid the scare triggered by the Ebola Reston virus (ERV) in pigs.

In a press conference, Lim said the mere mention of Ebola scares people.

Also, he noted that the infection has prevented them from exporting pork products.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap had said the "depopulation" move to kill 6,000 pigs in Bulacan will limit local pork stock as it only represents a small percentage of the total 15-million-tonne supply.

However, some pork vendors in Metro Manila reveal that more and more meat consumers start to shy away from buying pork.

Secretary Yap has already assured the public that prices of pork have remained stable amid the series of reports about the incidents of ERV in Central Luzon.

Bureau of Animal Industry director Davinio Catbagan assured owners of the infected farm in Pandi they would be properly covered or given financial assistance after the depopulation process. However, he refused to disclose the amount of remuneration the farmers would be getting.