Ban on Negros Oriental hogs, pork products lifted

After almost a year, the Cebu provincial government has lifted the temporary ban on the entry of live hogs, sows, piglets, boar semen, and pork-related products from Negros Oriental to Cebu Province.

It was May 2023 when Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia imposed a temporary ban on pig and pork products from Negros Oriental because of the confirmed case of African Swine Fever (ASF) there.

Just last Thursday, Garcia issued Executive Order No. 7 lifting the temporary ban she imposed

“There is a need to address the rising cost of lechon which affect Cebuano consumers,” read the executive order of the governor.

Under the said order, with the lifting of the said ban, the entry of live hogs, sows, piglets, boar semen, and pork-related products will now be subject to regularity requirements wherein the movement and shipment of live pigs, breeders, genetic materials, and pork products from Negros Oriental to Cebu will be subject to some documentary requirements.

For live hogs for slaughter, a veterinary health certificate issued by the licensed veterinarian, livestock handler license, certification of disease surveillance on classical swine fever and other swine disease issued by the city or municipal veterinarian, certificate of ASF-free status, negative ASF test result, local shipping permit, livestock transport pass, among others, are needed.

For frozen pork products, a meat inspection certificate, certificate for locally-sourced meat; certificate of meat inspection for imported meat; certificate of acceptance from the Provincial Veterinary Office and transport pass will be required before the entry to Cebu Province.

For genetic materials like semen, the requirements are veterinary, animal welfare registration, certificate of laboratory compliance for PRRS and brucellosis, negative ASF result, certificate of ASF status, shipping permit, and concurrence of shipment from the provincial veterinarian.

As to the processes and cooked and canned pork products, there should be a license to operate, concurrence of shipment from the provincial veterinarian, and transport pass.

Livestock transport trucks and reefer vans delivering pigs and pork products to Cebu Province shall register to the office of the provincial veterinarian and must adhere to the requirements for the livestock transport pass and observe seven-day downtime period.

The governor directed the Philippine National Police, Coast guard, Cebu Port Authority, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority and all mayors in Cebu Province to strictly implement her newly-issued executive order. - /BRP (FREEMAN)