PILMICO FOODS Corp. said it will continue investing in its hog raising business to participate in the restoration of the hog population, which has been decimated by African Swine Fever.

The Aboitiz-controlled company said in a statement that its initiatives will include increasing sow capacity, improving biosecurity, farm zoning, and refining the pork supply chain.

“These initiatives aim to encourage long-term growth and help secure the future of the livestock industry in collaboration with key stakeholders,” Pilmico said.

The company said it seeks to increase its swine herd and is planning to modernize pork processing in its triple-A slaughterhouse and meat cutting facility in Bamban, Tarlac.

According to Pilmico, its Tarlac Meatmasters facility is capable of slaughtering 1,500 hogs daily and has the latest technology such as a meat management system that ensures the traceability of meat to the animal and the farm that supplied it.

“As a robust support system to the pork supply chain, the facility brings world-class processes, innovative technology and solutions, and the highest standards of food safety and traceability to produce uncompromised quality pork meat cuts,” Pilmico Food Group President Tristan R. Aboitiz said.

Pilmico said it has implemented a campaign to raise awareness of disease prevention among hog raisers.

“Local farmers receive a 10-step guide to ensure strict implementation of biosecurity in backyard farms. Pilmico technical experts, veterinarians, and specialists guide them through the checklist by giving advice and helping them complete the steps,” the company said.

“These include limiting movement of people across sites; establishing decontamination areas for people, materials, and vehicles; setting up centralized transfer stations for hogs to limit exposure; and prohibiting entry of cooked or uncooked pork products in the facilities, among others,” it added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

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