August 22, 2024

ASF spreads to 11 regions in the Philippines

The swine industry in the Philippines continues to grapple with African swine fever (ASF), with the country's Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) reporting the spread of the disease to 11 regions, 22 provinces, and 64 municipalities as of August 8, 2024, Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

Since the initial ASF outbreak in 2019, the viral disease has impacted 74 out of 82 provinces across the country. However, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said that the outbreak is "not that alarming" as vaccines are soon to be available.

The DA confirmed that 10,000 doses of ASF vaccines have arrived, and vaccination efforts are expected to commence. To further combat the spread of the disease, the agency has established livestock checkpoints throughout Luzon to safeguard the livestock and poultry industry.

To support swine farmers affected by ASF, the DA issued Administrative Order No 10, which increases the indemnity paid to those whose livestock is culled due to the disease. The order, dated August 15, addresses delayed payments and the demand for higher compensation.

The DA said that delays in detecting ASF cases, confirming them, or carrying out eradication actions could jeopardise the entire eradication programme. However, the order also states that no financial assistance will be provided for suckling piglets or swine that have not yet been weaned from their sow.

For weanlings, or young pigs between 30 and 90 days old weighing up to 25 kg, the compensation is set at PHP 4,000 (US$70.86) per swine. Additionally, the DA will provide PHP 8,000 (US$141.72) for each condemned grower, defined as a swine weighing between 25 and 75 kg, or finisher swine, those with a live weight of more than 70 kg.

-      Philippine Daily Inquirer