Philippines pork group loses Singapore export confidence

The failure to meet requirements has nullified the Philippines' capability of exporting pork to Singapore.

No testing for Ebola Reston virus was conducted in South Cotabato province in mid-February as earlier promised by the government, said Emilio Escobillo, Jr., chair of the South Cotabato Swine Producers Association (SOCOSPA).

He said the Socospa is no longer optimistic they can start the exports under the current administration. The government had not complied with the Agri-Food Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore's to submit a bio-security measure for Mindanao by the end of January, he said.

Earlier, the local swine association asked to declare Mindanao as a separate bio-security region, after the detection of the Ebola Reston virus in Luzon led to the suspension of pork exports from Mindanao to Singapore more than a year ago.