Extending the 90-day ban on pork from Luzon is being considered by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson if the threat of the African swine fever (ASF) remains in the coming months.
“We’re continuously implementing the ban. If this problem will persist after 90 days, we intend to continue this. This is now a move of most provinces, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao,” Lacson said.
Pork from Spain and other countries not affected by ASF will not be allowed to arrive in the province once it has passed through Manila’s ports.
“We already consider that as originating from (Luzon) — if the supply has passed through their warehouse in Manila. Their products should stay at the airport, then they can fly it to Bacolod. (It) should be certified that the products did not leave the airport area,” he said.
“We just have to be very strict,” Lacson added. Their requirements may be irrational, but the province’s PHP6-billion swine industry sole intention of this move is to protect itself from the dreaded hog disease.
The country’s number one backyard swine producer, Negros Occidental, has already banned since September 11the influx of pork from Luzon, which has confirmed cases of ASF.
The ban includes live pigs, pork, pork products, and by-products, whether fresh, processed or canned, which can carry the ASF virus.
At least 500 kg. of pork meat products at the Bacolod-Silay Airport has been confiscated by the Provincial Task Force on ASF since the start of the 90-day ban. Some were disposed immediately while the rest of the meat products were sent back to the port of origin.
About 473 kg. of assorted pork products from Luzon were confiscated from September 24 to 26 alone.
On September 21, the task force has seized and disposed a total of 27 kg. of pork asado siopao.
On October 2, some 8.5 kg. of assorted pork products were confiscated at the airport and returned to its point of origin due to its shipping documents. (RJ Espartinez)