Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Friday, October 15, banned the entry of live pigs, boar semen, and pork products from Panay and Guimaras into Negros Occidental effective immediately.
The ban was issued to protect Negros Occidental’s P6 billion pork industry.
Lacson said he issued the ban following a report from the Provincial Veterinary Office of Iloilo on Thursday, October 13, that there is a suspected case of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Oton, Iloilo.
“The incidence of ASF poses a great threat to the province, being one of the major producers and a gateway of live pigs being supplied to Luzon, Central and Eastern Visayas”, Lacson said.
ASF is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting swine of all ages.
Lacson said he was imposing the ban pursuant to Provincial Ordinance No. 2019-024, otherwise known as the “ASF Prevention Ordinance of Negros Occidental”.
The governor directed the 31 mayors of Negros Occidental to ensure the implementation of preventive and safeguard measures contained in the ordinance.
He also directed the Provincial ASF Task Force members to conduct rigid and stringent screening and inspection of incoming shipments of live animals and pork products from Panay and Guimaras.
They should conduct checkpoints to intercept and control movement of live animals, pork, pork products and other related items entering the province, and confiscate and destroy undocumented shipments, he added.
They should also conduct mandatory and regular disinfection of transport carriers upon arrival at ports of entry and ensure proper disposal of food wastes from sea vessels, Lacson said.
Local task forces should report any cases of unusual mortalities among pigs to ensure prompt and immediate response, he added.*