Truck with 30 ASF-infected hogs intercepted in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities intercepted a truck loaded with 30 pigs infected with African swine fever (ASF) at a checkpoint in Quezon City on Tuesday, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The DA said personnel of the Bureau of Animal Industry manning a checkpoint along Mindanao Avenue stopped a truck carrying the hogs.

The BAI personnel immediately conducted blood tests on the pigs, which tested positive for ASF.

“After confirmation, the hogs were condemned and buried at the central burial site,” the DA said.

The department asked hog raisers and transporters to comply with all regulations and biosecurity protocols to prevent the further spread of ASF and protect the livelihoods of farmers nationwide.

Checkpoints have been set up in Metro Manila to stop the transport of sick animals.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has raised the indemnification for ASF-infected pigs to encourage hog growers to surrender their diseased animals for slaughter.

Farmers will be paid P4,000 for each infected piglet, P8,000 for growers and finishers that are below 75 kilos, and P12,000 for each sow and boar that will be surrendered for slaughter.