DUMAGUETE CITY -- Authorities on the lookout against the entry of the African swine fever (ASF) virus here intercepted 12 kilos of raw pork meat at the Bulado port in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Tuesday.
Dr. Alfonso Tundag, quarantine officer of the Bureau of Animal Industry in the province, on Wednesday morning said the “hot meat” placed in a styro box was seized from a passenger onboard the Island Express Super 2 vessel which arrived at the port around 4:30 p.m.
The vessel originated from Tangil in nearby Cebu province, he said.
Guihulngan veterinary quarantine inspector Elvie Alcantara intercepted the parcel and discovered that the meat did not have an inspection certificate and shipping permit, thus, it had to be confiscated, he added.
Tundag ordered the raw meat returned to its port of origin for proper disposal, as there were not enough personnel, time, and a place in the Bulado port to bury it.
While Visayas remains ASF-free, provincial government units are either regulating or imposing a total ban on incoming and outgoing hogs, raw pork meat, processed foods with pork and other by-products to prevent the entry of the virus in the region.
Negro Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo last week ordered the amendment of an executive order that would regulate the entry of pork and its by-products here in support of the country’s efforts to contain the spread of the ASF, which has largely affected Luzon. (PNA)