THE CITY Veterinarian’s Office (CVO) has intensified its monitoring in all public markets in the city to ensure pork meat and pork processed products are free from the African Swine Fever (ASF) and safe for consumption.
Dr. Cerelyn Pinili, CVO chief, revealed that her office has taken samples of the chorizo and tocino products in Agdao, Toril, Mintal, Calinan, Panacan, and Tibungco public markets. All have tested negative of the ASF.
“We assure that processed pork meat sold in these public markets are safe to eat since they are ASF-free,” she said on Monday.
The CVO, however, will continue to monitor all markets and conduct seminars for the meat vendors about the ASF.
“We conduct seminars to the vendors about ASF, what they should do about it, and where they can get pork meat products that are certified by our office,” she added.
CVO also remains on alert on hog farms in Marilog and Calinan District since there is an outbreak of ASF in neighboring areas of Magpet and Arakan.
Pinili also reiterated the city’s call for the consumers to check proper documents of the meat merchants, such as the meat inspection certificate (MIC) issued by relevant government agencies. She also urged all pork meat sellers to make sure their source of meat is certified by the city government for their protection.
“We are doing this to protect their business and so the entire hog industry will not be affected,” Pinili said.
