Gov. Fernando orders total ban on hogs, pork meat from ASF-affected areas
Governor Daniel R. Fernando on Wednesday, April 12, ordered a total ban on the entry of live pigs and pork meat from areas affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) into the province.
Fernando issued Executive Order No. 13, Series of 2023, “An Order Prohibiting the Entry of Live Pigs and its Meat Products coming from areas affected by African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Province of Bulacan.”
The EO was issued by Fernando even though the Province of Bulacan had zero cases of ASF since the start of 2023.
Fernando said the move is to ensure that the effort of the province to repopulate the number of swine will not be affected.
“Since mayroon pong cases ng ASF sa ibang lalawigan lalo na sa gawing Visayas at dumadami ang hog traders na nagpapasok ng baboy sa ating lalawigan, kailangan natin itong i-regulate upang masiguro natin na hindi tayo mapapasukan ng mga ASF positive na baboy,” (Since there are cases of ASF in other provinces, particularly in the Visayas and hog traders have been trading swine in our province, we need to regulate this to ensure that no ASF-positive hogs will enter),"Fernando said.
Based on the EO, the province will implement a total ban on live hogs, carcasses, cooked and processed meats coming from areas affected by the ASF as declared by the National Task Force for Prevention of ASF and other government agencies.
Shipments from pink to green zones or those from buffer, protected, or free zones must first request a letter of acceptance from the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) accompanied by an ASF negative test result not longer than two weeks from the time of shipment before being allowed to enter Bulacan.
The PVO continuously conducts surveillance on backyard raisers from different cities and municipalities while commercial farms are being tested and results are submitted to the PVO.
It also conducted a Biosecurity Seminar for farmers from all municipalities and distributed disinfectants to improve the biosecurity of backyard farmers to help them avoid ASF.
Governor Daniel R. Fernando distributes disinfectants in Angat, Bulacan to help improve the biosecurity of backyard farmers in the province to avoid ASF. (Freddie C. Velez)
Governor Daniel R. Fernando distributes disinfectants in Angat, Bulacan to help improve the biosecurity of backyard farmers in the province to avoid ASF. (Freddie C. Velez)