The Cebu provincial government has ordered a temporary ban on the entry of live hogs, boar, pork, and pork-related products from Iloilo and Panay Island in Cebu due to African Swine Fever (ASF).
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Thursday, Oct. 13, issued Executive Order No. 42 that imposes the ban for 60 days or until Dec. 12.
She issued the order on the same day that the Iloilo provincial veterinarian reported a suspected case of ASF in the province.
Garcia said Cebu “considers ASF as a serious concern, being the largest pork-producing province in Central Visayas.”
She ordered a strict implementation of border controls and veterinary quarantine measures, including cargo and passenger inspection, in all ports of entry in Cebu.
With the temporary ban, Garcia revoked and cancelled all livestock transport passes issued for livestock transport vehicle and reefer vans from Iloilo and Panay.
A certification from the provincial veterinarian from Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental is required for the shipment of live hogs, boar semen, pork, and pork-related products to Cebu.
“No shipment of live hogs, boar semen, pork, and other related products originating from Negros Oriental and/or Negros Occidental shall be allowed entry in the Province Of Cebu without the necessary certificate or concurrence from their respective provincial veterinarians,” Garcia said.
As an added measure to help prevent the spread of ASF in Cebu, Garcia mobilized the Barangay Animal Health Associations to help the local government units in monitoring and timely reporting of animal mortalities.