November 7, 2019

Philippines implements zoning plan to fight African swine fever spread

The proposed plan comes as Philippines consumers are consuming more poultry and beef, leading to higher prices due to increased demand, reported Rappler.

A new zoning plan to battle the spread of African swine fever (ASF) will divide the country into ASF-free, containment, protected and infected zones, as inflation in the National Capital Region increased 1.3% in October 2019 from 0.9% in September from higher demand of poultry, beef, fruits and vegetables.

Swine produced in ASF-free areas are permitted to be sold in the country. Areas that have reported no ASF cases will be deemed protected zones. Infected zones are areas with cases of ASF - these areas will have limited access to the country's pork market and can only trade within other infected zones.

Reildrin Morales, head of the country's ASF task force said a proposal has been made for the following areas to be ASF-free zones: Mindanao, Visayas and Mimaropa in Luzon. The entire Luzon will be a containment zone.

Central Luzon has reported its highest inflation of 2.3% in October 2019 because of rising prices for poultry, beef, fish and egg specifically.

The Department of Agriculture has listed the following as infected zones: Quezon City, Pangasinan, Rizal, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Cavite.

Morales said provincial veterinarians will review the proposal, with implementation procedures still under discussion.

There have been mixed regulations over the trade of pork between provinces and cities in the Philippines, with the government ordering officials to lift current bans.

Currently, the Philippines is imposing a 1-7-10 protocol. ASF discovered swine and other swine within a 1km area are culled; swine have restricted movement within 7km; and swine movements are strictly monitored within 10km from ASF first point of discovery.

- Rappler