September 23, 2024

Philippines pork producers urge national emergency over ASF resurgence

Pork producers and leaders of the swine industry in the Philippines are calling on the government to declare a national emergency due to the resurgence of African swine fever (ASF), Panay News reported.

Industry representatives are seeking an expedited rollout of vaccines to curb the spread of the disease, which has re-emerged in various parts of the country in recent months. They argue that swift action is necessary to prevent further losses to the sector.

In a letter to the Philippines' Department of Agriculture, Nicanor Briones, vice president of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, appealed for the commercial availability of vaccines.

"We cannot be content with waiting too long because every day, many pigs are dying due to ASF," Briones stated.

Briones also raised concerns that some hog raisers have turned to unregulated vaccines purchased online, driven by the slow pace of the government-controlled vaccination programme.

"Many are now vaccinating their pigs with products not controlled by the government, out of fear of ASF. People are taking matters into their own hands, and the government is not monitoring this," Briones warned.

Since the initial vaccine rollout, only 41 swine have received the AVAC vaccine. The Bureau of Animal Industry reported higher levels of antibodies in the swine that were vaccinated, but the limited distribution of vaccines has raised concerns.

-       Panay News