BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Provincial African Swine Fever (AFS) Task Force seized and disposed at least 27 kilos of pork “asado” siopao from Luzon which arrived in Bacolod-Silay Airport over the weekend.
Negros Occidental – the country’s number one backyard swine producer – has banned for 90 days, starting Sept. 11, the entry of pork and its by-products from Luzon.
“These pork products from Luzon were intercepted by our inspectors assigned at the airport,” said Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena, co-chair of the Provincial Task Force on ASF, on Sunday.
He added the task force personnel, including livestock inspectors of Provincial Veterinary Office and employees of the Bureau of Animal Industry, along with airport staff immediately burned the confiscated products.
Decena said the 34 packs of pork “asado” siopao, which were shipped via cargo, were part of the 175 kilograms of various products sent to a food cart operator in the province.
The temporary ban on pork products from Luzon was one of the measures ordered by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to protect the P6-billion swine industry of Negros Occidental.
The ban was implemented days after the Department of Agriculture confirmed positive cases of ASF in Luzon, particularly in farms of Rizal and Bulacan. It covers live pigs, pork, pork products and by-products from Luzon whether fresh, processed or canned which can carry the ASF virus.
Decena said although the ASF virus does not pose threat to the consuming public, it is definitely a threat to the swine industry.
“The confiscated pork ‘asado’ siopao from Luzon can be a carrier of the virus, which can be contagious and can bring harm by contaminating animals,” he added.
Negros Occidental remains ASF-free, but still the PVO chief underscored the need for the province to be proactive to protect its swine production.
Decena urged Negrenses, especially travelers, to cooperate and report possible entry of pork products from Luzon.
He said port personnel in Negros Occidental were also deputized as members of the tracker team.(With a report from PNA/PN)
