A group of hog-raisers in Calabarzon is seeking the approval of the commercial use of an African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine in a bid to expedite the inoculation and eventually assist the industry amid the expected high demand for pork for the Holiday season.
The Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines (PPFP) said the approval of the permits for the A-VAC ASF Live will save the lives of 3.6 million piglets and fattener in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon).
“Our members have the funds to procure the A-VAC vaccines but the protocol set by the Food and Drug Administration hinders the procurement,” said PPFP chairperson and AGAP Partylist Representative Nick Briones.
Briones said his group had already sent a letter to Department of Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel, Jr., regarding the request.
He stressed the necessity of immediate inoculation as the ASF has been causing serious concerns not only to hog-raisers but also feed millers.
Based on the latest data of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BAI), Briones said pigs from 14 regions, 31 provinces, 109 municipalities, and 472 barangays were hit by ASF.
"There are lots of hog-raisers, as well as feed millers suffering and still suffering. Some have sleepless nights because they worry that their pigs might be hit by the airborne disease anytime. ASF could turn them bankrupt, " according to Briones in an interview.
PPFP officer Fritz Chua said he was one of the many stakeholders who joined the vaccination trial, in which his pigs underwent vaccination testing.
He said that inoculated piglets last 30 August in Lobo, Batangas have produced 40 percent antibodies, which proves the effectiveness of the AVAC vaccines.
“Another blood sampling will take place on September 30, and if the vaccinated pigs will show 70 to 80 percent antibodies, then the vaccine is indeed effective. That is why by 1 October, permits for commercial use can be already released,” Chua said.
Last week, SINAG executive director Jayson Cainglet suggested waiting for six months as the World Organization for Animal Health has yet to approve a vaccine against ASF.
But Briones said they could not wait for six months: "We cannot wait for six months. Cainglet doesn’t even own a single pig, which is why he is not in the position to say that. He doesn’t know our sentiments,” Briones said.