December 30, 2020

Philippines ASF task force seizes US$116,590 worth of pork products

The provincial African swine fever (ASF) Task Force of Negros Occidental, Philippines, had seized almost PHP5.6 million (US$116,590.15) worth of incoming pork and pork products from areas hit by African swine fever.

Provincial veterinarian and co-chair of the ASF Task Force Renante Decena said: "A total of 32.641 tonnes of assorted pork products were intercepted from January 1 to December 27 this year."

Decena reported to the chair of the provincial ASF Task Force and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson that the products were seized during inspections at airports, seaports and borders. Measures against the possible entry of the ASF-contaminated products were intensified during the Philippines' holiday season.

"For the past week alone, a total of PHP43,700 (US$909.82) worth of pork and pork related products were apprehended from hand carried, checked-in baggage and cargo trucks arriving at the Bacolod-Silay Airport, Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp (Bredco) seaport in Bacolod City and Escalante City seaport," Decena said.

Decena added: "From December 21 to December 27, the quarantine team has inspected a total of 4,214 incoming vehicles and refrigerated container vans at different points of entry in the Negros Occidental province.

"All products that were allowed to enter Negros Occidental were properly inspected and found to have complete documents. Also, the task force has conducted inspection and monitoring of supermarkets, grocery stores and online sellers of frozen meat products."

A total of 57 establishments were inspected to ensure compliance with the ASF Prevention Ordinance of Negros Occidental. Under the ordinance, transport or sales of pork products from Luzon and other ASF-hit areas to Negros Occidental province is prohibited.

"With the assistance of the Provincial Legal Office, the ASF Task Force also inspected an online seller based in Bacolod City who is actively selling assorted processed meat products in the province," Decena said.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas said it is stepping up the department's efforts to protect the region's PHP20 billion (US$416,348,200) swine industry from ASF as the demand for pork products rises during Christmas and New Year.

 - Sunstar