Pork products from Vietnam banned amid African swine fever reports

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol on Sunday has ordered a temporary ban on pork coming from Vietnam amid reports that pork samples from that country tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF).

In a statement on his official Facebook page, Piñol said that the temporary ban on pork and pork products from Vietnam shall be effective immediately.

The temporary ban on such products from entering the Philippines, which was recommended by Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director Dr. Ronnie Domingo, comes after reports showed that pork from Vietnam, intercepted by quarantine authorities, tested positive for ASF.

The Agriculture chief also noted that while the memorandum which will implement the ban is yet to be signed, he has already ordered the BAI to “immediately effect the ban today.”

“The Philippines is one of the few countries in the world which is free from livestock diseases, including Foot and Mouth Disease,” Piñol said.

“Vietnam is the latest to be included in the list of countries which could not ship pork and pork products to the Philippines because of the ASF,” he added. /je