May 4, 2023

Philippines' current ASF protocols ineffective, according to officials

The Philippines Department of Agriculture and other related agencies will reevaluate the country's African swine fever (ASF) control and prevention measures as the disease continues to impact the industry across the country.

According to local media, officials said the protocols aren't working.

As of March 2023, the Department of Agriculture data shows 11 regions, 21 provinces, 54 municipalities and 137 barangays (similar to an inner city neighborhood or suburb) still have active ASF cases throughout the Philippines, ABS-CBN News reported. A total of 4,418 barangays have been affected by ASF as of March.

"We have to reevaluate how we do our ASF control and prevention... So we will have a meeting anytime soon to talk about this prevention and control, among other things," said DA National Livestock Program director and International Training Center on Pig Husbandry director Ruth Miclat-Sonaco. "And what should we do more because apparently, something is wrong."

The National Federation of Hog Farmers pointed out that smuggled pork could be carriers of ASF. As such, it's critical to intensify biosecurity in farms to help prevent the disease.

More efforts will be made to educate people, especially farmers, about the benefits of biosecurity. Some hog producers have been concerned about repopulating their herds after an outbreak due to the ongoing risk of ASF. 

The most recent Department of Agriculture estimates show a potential shortage of 81 million tonnes of pork this year. To date, 38,658 tonnes of pork have been imported, mainly coming from the United States and Canada.

- Farm Journal