Pork, hog ban in Cebu province extended

Local

THE ban on pork products and live hogs from areas with confirmed cases of the deadly African Swine Fever (ASF) will remain in effect for another 45 days.

The Cebu Provincial Government recently issued Executive Order (EO) No. 40, extending its previous order prohibiting the importation of pork and pigs from provinces where the ASF resurfaced. That brings the restriction period to a total of 90 days.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro signed the new EO on Aug. 20, with copies published on the Capitol's official social media handles on Aug. 23.

"African Swine Fever remains a serious threat to the swine industry, hog raisers, the pork supply chain, and food security in the province. The continued occurrence and threat of ASF in Negros Island and other affected provinces and areas necessitate the maintenance of precautionary measures to prevent the introduction and spread of ASF within Cebu," portions of the three-page EO read.

To protect its P12-billion swine industry, the province, in July, revived its cross-border restrictions for pork products and live hogs following official reports confirming the resurgence of ASF in Negros Island Region.

The extension was enforced as more new cases have been reported in other nearby provinces including Leyte.

The extended ban still applies for live domestic and wild pigs; fresh, chilled or frozen pork; processed pork products and pork-derived products; and other wine products, by-products, and other pork-derived products from Negros Island and other ASF-affected provinces or areas.

Additionally, the EO also directs the Provincial Veterinary’ Office, along with the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Animal Industry, to identify additional swine products, by-products, materials or articles that pose a material risk of ASF transmission.

"The PVO will continue to assess the ASF situation in Cebu and nearby provinces and advise the governor on whether the prohibition should be lifted, modified, maintained or further extended," the Cebu Provincial Government said.(RBE)