Mayor Sara Duterte issued an executive order to temporarily ban all live pigs, pork and pork-related products and by-products, whether fresh, frozen, processed or cooked, including but not limited to frozen boar semen, from the entire island of Luzon and the other African Swine Fever (ASF) affected areas.
The EO signed on Wednesday also mandates for the prohibition of feeding of raw swill or food wastes or “lamaw” to pigs in the city.
Last Sept. 17, the city council, through Councilor Ralph Abella, chair of the committee on agriculture, also passed a resolution on Tuesday requesting Mayor Duterte for the order.
The order is to protect the hog industry of the city from the potential threat of ASF and from any possible economic loss.
“There is a possibility that the African Swine Fever may reach the city in such proportions that would affect the food safety and security of the city,” the EO reads.
Under the EO, Duterte orders all concerned government offices and swine industry stakeholders to be vigilant in their areas of responsibilities.
For the swine raisers, they are ordered to practice strict biosecurity and good animal husbandry practices in your farms, not feed raw swill/food wastes to pigs, and have raw swill/food wastes to be used for feeding should be treated at a temperature of at least 90°C for at least 60 minutes, with continuous stirring.
Swine raisers are also encouraged to use commercially available feeds or self-formulated feeds using conventional or non-conventional feed ingredients sourced from areas that are not affected with ASF and immediately report any suspicious incidence of mortality in pigs in your farm for verification to the City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO).
For the hotel and restaurant operators and other food establishments and food wastes collectors, they have to ensure that the table leftovers or food wastes/swill are properly disposed and shall not be provided to the swine raisers as feed for their pigs within the city.
Livestock dealers have to ensure that all animals for transport and slaughter are accompanied by necessary documents such as Veterinary Health Certificate or Animal Inspection Certificate and Shipping Permits.
Meat vendors/suppliers and meat processors have to ensure that there shall be no selling of meat and processed meat that are clandestinely or illegally slaughtered, undocumented or sourced from illegal markets.
Meanwhile, all other concerned agencies and barangay officials have to conduct Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities on ASF prevention especially the prohibition of swill/food wastes feeding; ensure that raw swill/food wastes feeding is not being practiced by swine raisers; conduct regular monitoring of health status of swine; ensure that illegal meat products (fresh, frozen or processed) are not being sold in the market and report any suspicious incidence of mortality in pigs in your area for verification of the CVO.
