CEBU CITY – Cebu remains free from the deadly and highly contagious African Swine Fever (ASF).
The declaration was based on the ASF Zoning Status issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
“Cebu province has remained free from the African Swine Fever, based on the ASF Zoning Status issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry as of end June,” a report stated.
BAI released the latest zoning map to Capitol officials in a meeting with industry stakeholders led by the Cebu Provincial Veterinary Office last July 12.
To protect the P11-billion hog industry in the province, Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia has issued executive orders to prevent the entry of ASF into Cebu.
Since 2019, the province has banned the importation of live pigs and other pork products and byproducts from ASF-affected areas, locally and internationally.
The province has also prohibited the entry of live birds and poultry products and byproducts from areas with confirmed cases of the H5N1 avian influenza.
Cooperation between the public and private sectors has helped keep the province ASF-free, the Capitol said.
“The partnership between the Cebu provincial government and private stakeholders has been crucial in ensuring the province’s safety from the ASF threat. Their strong support and coordination with the government helped in maintaining the province's ASF-free status,” the Capitol said through its media arm Sugbo News.