February 6, 2023

Pangasinan province, Philippines, bans entry of live hogs and pork products

The government of Pangasinan province in the Philippines has imposed a ban on the entry of live hogs, pork, and pork related products from all municipalities affected by African swine fever (ASF) to safeguard the swine industry, the Philippine Information Agency reported.

The ban will remain in effect until March 2, 2023.

Live hogs for slaughter will be permitted entry if the bearer can present a veterinary health certificate, veterinary shipping permit, animal welfare registration certificate, transport carrier registration certificate, handler's licence certificate of registration, ASF laboratory negative result, and certificate of acceptance.

The same documents are required for live pigs for breeding purposes, with the addition of a Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)-accredited swine breeder farm certificate.

Entry for boar semen will require a certificate of free status-ASF, RT-PCR Elisa negative test, veterinary health certificate, shipping permit, laboratory negative result for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, pseudorabies, and brucellosis, and BAI-accredited swine breeder farm certificate are all required documents.

Fresh pork meat, frozen pork products, and pork products are also permitted if accompanied by a meat inspection certificate issued by the National Meat Inspection Service for imported meat products or a meat inspection certificate for domestic meat products, a veterinary shipping permit, and a certificate of acceptance.

For the shipment of uncooked processed pork products and cooked meat products, a licence to operate, a certificate of product registration issued by the Food and Drug Administration, and a veterinary shipping permit are required.

Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III ordered the provincial veterinarian quarantine officers and the local police to enforce the directive at border checkpoints across the province.

-      Philippine Information Agency