Cebu, Bohol provinces tighten watch on entry of raw and processed pork

THE GOVERNORS of neighboring provinces Bohol and Cebu have issued directives to tighten watch on the entry of pork meat and processed pork products while the Department of Agriculture (DA) is determining the cause of unusual swine mortality in backyard farms in Luzon. Bohol Gov. Arthur C. Yap, a former DA chief, issued a memo to mayors and the Provincial Veterinarian on Aug. 20 ordering them to deploy personnel who will assist in port quarantine inspections. “Considering the hog industry in Bohol affects more than 30,000 households in 21 municipalities valued at more than P6 billion, we have to be proactive in ensuring the protection and sustainability of our local hog industry,” Mr. Yap said in a statement. He also communicated with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia to coordinate efforts. On Aug. 21, Ms. Garcia issued an executive order directing the members of the local African Swine Fever (ASF) committee to establish a larger ASF Task Force. Cebu is a net importer of pork, consuming 63 million kilos of pork per year, 15% more than what it produces. — with a report from The Freeman