BACOLOD City –The city of San Carlos in Negros Occidental has cracked down on the spread of the dreaded African swine fever (ASF), issuing orders controlling the entry of live hogs and pork products into its area.
Mayor Renato Gustilo said as a preventive measure, he issued an executive order enforcing a 90-day ban on hogs, pork, pork products, and by-products from ASF-hit areas.
This move, according to Gustilo, aims to protect the multi-billion swine industry of the province.
Gustilo also said that the city government has intensified their information and dissemination campaign on ASF by launching a series of orientations.
Among those attendees include representatives from the city’s 18 barangays, Central Philippine State University students, hog raisers, farm owners, paravets, and technicians, among others.
City veterinarian Dr. Jeff Reonal discussed the effects of the disease on the economy and preventive measures the city has undertaken to prevent ASF from entering the community.
He told participants to buy pork meat that has undergone inspection by the slaughterhouse department and to stop feeding hogs with pigswill.
Last month, Gov. Lacson also issued an executive order implementing a 90-day entry ban for pork products coming from Luzon.
He assured the public that locally-produced pork ASF-free.
“All local government units now are vigilant and requiring permits for pork and processed products is understandable,” the governor said.
ASF is a contagious hemorrhagic viral disease among domestic and wild pigs that can spread rapidly regardless of borders. Though ASF is not a risk to human health, it can still bring serious economic and production losses to the swine industry./PN
