DA steps up drive to further stabilize pork supply, revitalize swine industry amid ASF threat
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has stepped up its campaign to fight the African Swine Fever (ASF), which it said, has already affected 21 provinces in 11 regions in the country.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) described ASF as “a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs” with no available vaccine and has been causing a 100 percent mortality rate.
In a statement, the DA said that although deemed not dangerous to humans, the virus can survive on surfaces, pork, and pork products.
“Hence, human behaviors can play an important role in spreading this pig disease across borders if adequate measures are not taken,” the statement read.
Among the measures currently being undertaken are the updating of the National Zoning and Movement Plan for the Prevention and Control of ASF, enforcing strict surveillance and investigation and intensifying coordination with local government units.
The DA also launched the Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay ASF) to strengthen monitoring and control against ASF at the barangay level as well as the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) to hasten hog repopulation in ASF-affected areas.
The measures, according to DA, are not only aimed at containing the spread of the ASF but also revitalize the country’s swine industry amid the adverse effects of the virus infection.
Based on the DA data, there are currently 11 regions, 21 provinces, 54 municipalities and cities, and 137 barangays with active ASF cases.
In a statement, the DA emphasized the need to help contain the disease through cooperation among stakeholders, explaining that the ASF problem may lead to scarcity of supply and eventually result in the increase of the price in the market.
Another measure taken, according to the DA, was direct public interaction such as visit in places of convergence to hand out information campaign materials on ASF to travelers, vendors, and passersby.
“Aside from dissuading travelers from transporting pork and pork products, the tour also reminded the public to buy the said products from meat dealers with Meat Inspection Certificate (MIC) and from meat importers with Certificate of Meat Inspection (COMI)—both of which are issued by the DA – National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS),” the statement read.
Farmers and hog raisers are also being encouraged to ensure cleanliness in their farm and to regularly monitor the health and condition of their pigs.