ASF-FREE. Pork products sold in a market in Antique. The province, which remains African swine fever-free is eyeing to ban the entry of Mindanao swine, pork, pork products, and its by-products. (File photo)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique -- The Provincial Veterinary Office (ProVet) of Antique is proposing to ban Mindanao swine, pork, pork products, and its by-products from entering this province to protect its African swine fever-free status.
Dr. Marco Rafael D. Ardamil, who heads the ProVet Public Health Division, said he learned during their meeting with the Department of Agriculture on Thursday that Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Aklan provinces have already declared a ban because of the reported ASF cases in Don Marcelino, Davao recently.
“The provinces of Iloilo and Aklan initially declared a ban on the swine, pork, pork products, and its by-products last February 5,” he said in an interview Friday. Negros Occidental followed thereafter.
In Antique, Ardamil said a new Executive Order (EO) is waiting for the signature of Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao.
To recall, Antique also banned the entry of swine, pork, pork products, and its by-products from Luzon following the ASF outbreak in the region.
“The EO banning live swine, pork, and by-products from Luzon is still in effect until now,” he said.
With the new cases in Davao, another EO is set to be signed by the governor to spare the hog industry in the province from ASF.
The hog population in Antique is estimated at 73,000, most of which are backyard-raised. (PNA)
