July 20, 2023

ASF causes US$13.9 million losses for Western Visayas, Philippines swine farmers

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 said that swine farmers in the country's Western Visayas region have suffered losses amounting to PHP 762.5 million (~US$13.9 million; PHP 10 = US$0.18) due to African Swine Fever (ASF), with a total of 79,376 swine either died or were depopulated in six provinces as of June 26, Panay News reported.

Capiz province experienced the highest number of swine mortalities and depopulated swine heads, totaling 47,645, resulting in PHP 428,895,000 (~US$7.8 million) worth of losses. Negros Occidental followed with 14,430 swine deaths amounting to PHP 152,607,500 (~US$2.7 million) in losses; Iloilo with 12,485 swine heads or PHP 124,850,000 (~US$2.2 million)  in losses; Aklan with 2,389 swine heads or PHP 23,350,500 (~US$426,000) in losses; Antique with 2,051 swine heads or PHP 19,291,500 in losses; and Guimaras with 376 swine heads or PHP 3,675,000 (~US$67,000) in losses.

As of July 14, the region recorded confirmed ASF cases in 338 barangays from 68 municipalities. Despite the spread of ASF, Western Visayas remains one of the top five regions in terms of swine inventory, ranking fourth with 996,529 swine heads, next to Calabarzon, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao. This comprises 9.79% of the 10,176,727 total swine inventory in the Philippines.

Of the total swine heads in the region, 92.85% or 925,284 are raised by smallhold swine farmers, 0.61% or 6,051 are semi-commercial, and 6.54% or 65,194 are commercial.

Dr Jonic Natividad, DA-6 regional focal person on ASF and Other Animal Diseases Task Force, said that it is important to practice strict biosecurity measures among swine farmers to prevent the spread of the disease. He expressed concern over the sustainability of local swine production if ASF cases continue to spike.

Dennis Arpia, Regional Director of DA-6, said there is a need to boost biosecurity measures as a key strategy to manage or control ASF. While the vaccine against ASF is not yet available, Arpia highlighted the importance of tightening biosecurity measures. He also mentioned that humans involved in swine trade and bringing pork products to their homes can be potential spreaders of ASF.

Arpia noted that the Philippines government is prepared to allocate funds once an ASF vaccine becomes available. The DA is closely coordinating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the issuance of a Certificate of Product Registration for ASF vaccines from Vietnam. Additionally, the proposal to subsidise private swine growers in obtaining the vaccine is under consideration.

-      Panay News