Batangas bans entry of live pigs, meat products
MANILA, Philippines – The provincial government of Batangas has banned all live pigs and other meat products from entering the province to avoid the proliferation of the African Swine Fever (ASF) in the province.
In the Memorandum Circular No. 03 signed by Governor Hermilando Mandanas and Provincial Veterinarian Romelito Marasigan, the ban also covers formulated swine feeds from outside the province.
“All incoming hog transport carriers, closed vans, and feed ingredients carriers are subject to inspection and shall be cleared by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian before entering the province,” the document, dated October 21, said.
“All refrigerated/closed vans entering the province are subject to inspection and disinfection,” it added. “Public transport vehicles with routes going into Batangas Province are not allowed to carry or transport pork and pork products.”
Live pigs and other products would either be confiscated or be sent back to the shipment’s point of origin. Aside from these, using, selling, or displaying imported frozen pork in restaurants, hotels, wet markets, groceries and supermarkets are also not allowed.
Last September, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said that ASF has hit the Philippines, although it maintained that locally-raised hogs are safe for consumption. As of now, ASF has been confirmed in various areas of Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Rizal, Quezon City, and Nueva Ecija.
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According to the memorandum, establishments in Batangas can still source processed pork products, but these must be processed in areas free of ASF and those outside the 10-kilometer radius surveillance zone for ASF areas.
“The manufacturing or production date of processed pork products should be clearly displayed on the label. Otherwise, these products are advised to be pulled out from display and returned to origin,” the Batangas government said.
Failure to comply with these rules, the government noted, may result in the revocation of permits issued to persons and owners of the establishments./ac
