At A Glance
- The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) shared that pigs from Occidental Mindoro tested negative from the African Swine Fever (ASF).<br>The test was conducted by the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory which awards the Recognition of Active Surveillance on ASF (RAS-AF) to swine-free hogs.<br>RAS-AF not only ensures pig safety, but also acts as a permit for entry and exit in Mindoro.
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has confirmed that pigs from three towns in Occidental Mindoro have tested negative for African Swine Fever (ASF).
In a statement on Friday, Feb. 2, BAI said that recent blood tests from the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed that pigs in province is free from ASF.
The test was run to secure the Recognition of Active Surveillance on ASF (RAS-AF).
Because of this, municipalities within the area followed by getting RAS-ASF from the agriculture bureau to ensure safety in hog production, and to be utilized as a permit to deliver pigs in and out of the province.
“This measure is implemented to prevent the potential spread of ASF and maintain the biosecurity of pig farms in the province,” the BAI said.
Last week, Occidental Mindoro held meat inspection checkpoints and quarantined producers within the towns of San Jose, Santa Cruz, and Rizal to control the outbreak from spreading.
The ASF mitigation is a proactive collaboration between the BAI, an agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), local government units (LGUs), and other agencies related to animal and food safety.
“This underscores the importance of coordinated actions in addressing and preventing the outbreak of infectious animal diseases,” the BAI added.