June 6, 2024

 

Governor of Basilan, Philippines imposes ban on movement of swine and pork products

Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman, Governor of Basilan, Philippines, has issued an executive order temporarily banning the transport, entry, exit, and movement of all live swine, pork, and pork-related products in Basilan, including Lamitan city, Rappler reported.

 

Executive Order No 2024-06 also prohibits the entry of these products into Basilan from other ASF-affected areas in the country due to the imminent threat of the disease.

 

This decision follows a report from Dr Sharmaine Tutuh, provincial veterinarian, confirming that eight blood samples from swine in barangays Bulingan, Buahan, and Calugusan in Lamitan city tested positive for African swine fever (ASF).

 

Governor Salliman highlighted that ASF cases in Lamitan City pose a significant threat to the local swine industry, food security, and the livelihoods of local farmers across the island province.

 

Under Executive Order No 2024-06, a ban has also been imposed on the use of swill from restaurants, hotels, and other food establishments for feeding swine. Local governments are tasked with implementing strict biosecurity measures in farms.

 

Swine farmers are urged to report any suspicious pig mortality to their respective veterinary offices, which are required to submit written reports to the Provincial Veterinarian Office.

 

The order mandates regular monitoring of the health status of swine across the province.

 

Hotels and food establishments are directed to ensure that table leftovers or food wastes are properly disposed of and not provided to swine raisers in Basilan province.

 

The Philippines' Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture reported in February 2024 that active ASF cases are present in 12 provinces across eight regions of the country.

 

-      Rappler