Agriculture Secretary William Dar. File photo
MANILA – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar ordered stricter quarantine measures in all airports and seaports to prevent the entry of the dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country.
In a press briefing on Monday, Dar said the DA has received a report on Friday about "an increased mortality of pigs raised by farmers in their backyards".
He said the crisis management team (CMT) was revived to oversee the planning and implementation of appropriate measures to manage, contain, and control the suspected animal disease.
“We (also) directed BAI (Bureau of Animal Industry) to conduct further confirmatory laboratory tests, including sending blood samples to foreign laboratories, to ascertain the cause of the animals’ death,” he added.
Dar also instructed the CMT to work closely with key industry players and local government officials to manage the incident and carry out ground-level operations.
“We will institutionalize the active participation of the private sector and the LGUs (local government units), and they will be part of the CMT from here on to gain their full involvement and commitment, including other technical teams that will monitor and evaluate the current situation,” he said.
The DA chief has called on all hog raisers, particularly those involved in backyard operations, “to strictly observe and practice good livestock practices, including the needed bio-security measures.”
He assured that the government is “on top of the situation and we are doing everything possible.”
Taiwan was reported to have listed the Philippines as one of the high-risk areas for ASF and will implement stricter screening of travelers from the country.
According to a report from Taiwan News, the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC) announced that “all carry-on bags from the Philippines will be examined by X-ray machines at the airport and other ports of entry after midnight” amid the ASF alert.
The CEOC said the Philippines was placed in high-risk areas for ASF after reliable sources reported that there have been ASF cases in Bulacan and Rizal provinces.
Under Taiwan's laws, travelers who are carrying pork products to Taiwan from ASF-affected countries who do not report it to authorities will be fined.
First offenders shall be penalized NT$200,000 (USD6,300) for the first offense and NT$1 million (USD31,600) from the second time.
On the other hand, travelers who will bring unreported pork products from non-ASF-affected countries may face charges amounting from NT$10,000 (USD316) to NT$30,000 (USD950).
Aside from the Philippines, Taiwan also listed China, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, North and South Korea, and Russia under the high-risk areas for ASF.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, ASF is a fatal animal disease affecting pigs and wild boars with up to 100 percent case fatality rate.
It advises that animal disease containment in its broadest sense should be prioritized within the highest levels of governments. (PNA)
