Negros Occidental gov bans live pigs from Mindanao due to ASF

BACOLOD CITY –– Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has banned the entry of live pigs and pork from Mindanao to protect the province from the African Swine Fever (ASF).

Lacson said the ASF has spread over Mindanao, particularly Davao Occidental, where thousands of pigs died of the disease based on reports from the Provincial Veterinary Office.

“Such incidence of ASF poses a great threat to the province, being one of the getaways of livestock and meat products to Panay provinces and Luzon,” he said.

Negros Occidental has an ordinance that permanently bans the entry of pigs and pork-related products from Luzon and other ASF affected areas.

The ASF Prevention Ordinance of Negros Occidental provides that other areas may be covered by the ban once affected by the ASF.

Lacson has enjoined all mayors in Negros Occidental and the Provincial ASF Task Force to ensure the implementation of preventive measures as embodied in the ASF prevention ordinance.

Negros Occidental mayors were also told to conduct mandatory and regular disinfection of transport carriers upon arrival at ports of entry and ensure the proper disposal of food wastes from sea vessels.

“We are very thankful that it is not here in the Visayas because of the measures that we have taken in the past months. While others say that we may be overacting, let us make mistakes over our preparations, rather than we are not ready,” Lacson said.

Edited by LZB