BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Pork products from outside Negros Occidental remain banned.
The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) reminds the public not to bring pork and pork products from elsewhere.
This advisory is particularly aimed at Negrenses planning to return home for the holidays.
The ban was imposed after the local swine industry suffered due to hog cholera and the African swine fever (ASF) earlier this year. Now that mortalities are under control, both hog raisers in the province and the PVO are diligently working to prevent further outbreaks of hog diseases.
PVO head Dr. Placeda Lemana said there are no more ASF cases, but the provincial government remains cautious.
At present, the price of pork in some parts of the province has risen to P320 per kilogram. This is P5 to P15 more than last week, attributed to rising demand.
Another reason for the price increase, Lemana said, is the high live weight prices.
The PVO noted that some of the buyers of Negros hogs are from neighboring Iloilo province.
Some raisers are also now able to ship out their hogs, particularly those from La Carlota City.
Pork consumption is seen to increase next month due to the holidays, but Lemana assured consumers that pork supply remains stable. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
