The ban on the entry of pigs and pork products from Cebu into Negros Occidental has not been felt in the local market yet, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Monday, March 13.
“There is a sentiment that it might affect the food supply. We’ll see, I hope not,” he said, as he reiterated the need to protect the local hog industry from African Swine Fever (ASF).
Negros Occidental and Bacolod City banned the entry of pork products from Cebu last week after ASF cases were detected in Carcar City.
Lacson said the ban does not cover canned pork products from Cebu, but includes frozen goods.
The entry of pork products from Negros Island into Cebu has also been banned.
Lacson has appealed to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to lift her ban since Negros Occidental remains ASF-free.
Negros Occidental hog raisers are asking that their products be allowed to pass through Cebu on their way to Leyte, Lacson said. He has not received a reply from Garcia yet, Lacson said.*