September 9, 2024

 

Philippine hog raiser groups call for expediting ASF vaccination of pigs

 

 

Hog raiser groups in the Philippines on September 4 called on the country's Department of Agriculture (DA) to hasten the vaccination of pigs against African swine fever (ASF) to prevent further losses in the swine industry.

 

Nicanor Briones, president of the Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, said the DA should work expeditiously to lessen the effects of the disease on local pork production and supply. He added that the domestic swine industry has lost ₱150 billion to ASF since 2019.

 

According to Briones, the decision of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to launch the ASF vaccination programme through the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) is commendable, but the programme is moving slowly in provinces with ASF outbreaks.

 

Briones said the DA should implement a systematic vaccine rollout and tap as many vaccinators as possible. He argued the agency should mobilise teams composed of local government officials, cooperatives, private veterinarians, veterinary product suppliers, and other volunteers.

 

"The DA and the Food and Drug Administration should allow the commercial use of ASF vaccine," Briones commented.

 

Meanwhile, National Federation of Hog Farmers chairman Chester Tan said that vaccination is the only way to prevent the spread of ASF and help hog raisers recover from their losses.

 

Tan said representatives of hog raiser associations, cooperatives, and veterinary practitioners have requested Tiu Laurel to allow them to support the vaccination programme against ASF.

 

Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines president Rolando Tambago said the DA should start vaccination in other provinces, especially those engaged in backyard hog-raising business. He stressed the need to immediately utilise the 10,000 doses of ASF vaccine available in the country.

 

"At the current rate of 46 heads vaccinated per day, it would take several months to fully administer the initial doses of ASF vaccine, with many hogs already hit by the disease," Tambago said.

 

He added that the DA could deputise private veterinarians while BAI-accredited laboratories may be permitted to conduct hog testing prior to vaccination.

 

- Philstar