Cebu province’s decision to lift its ban on the entry of pigs and other livestock is a significant advantage for hog raisers in Negros Occidental, Dr. Ryan Janoya, Chief of Animal Health and Meat Inspection Services of the Provincial Veterinary Office, said on Wednesday, July 16.
The lifting of the ban opens up a larger market for Negros Occidental’s hog industry.
Janoya noted that Cebu was a key market for the province’s hog raisers, particularly for lechon pigs before the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.
With Cebu now accessible, local hog raisers can also re-establish their markets in Leyte and Samar for breeder hogs. Shipments to these areas had been suspended due to ASF restrictions, as Cebu serves as a crucial transit point, he said.
Negros Occidental continues to supply pork to various areas in Luzon, and the positive effects of Cebu’s lifted ban are expected to be felt in the coming weeks or months.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental remains steadfast in its policy of banning the entry of live pigs from areas with ASF cases to protect its local hog industry.*