Cebu bans hogs, pork products from Negros

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The provincial government of Cebu has banned the entry of live hogs, sows, piglets, boar semen, pork and its related products coming from Negros Island as a precaution against African swine fever (ASF).

In an executive order, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said the ban would take effect for 30 days staring on March 4 to April 5.

The order came after the Bureau of Animal Industry confirmed the presence of ASF virus in blood samples obtained from pigs in Carcar City.

Garcia said the pigs were kept in barangay stockyards together with hogs from Negros.

Being the largest pork producer in Central Visayas, Garcia said Cebu considers ASF a “very serious” concern as it is fatal and highly contagious.

She revoked all passes issued for livestock transport vehicles and reefer vans from Negros until further notice.

Meanwhile, Rayfrando Diaz, administrator of Negros Occidental, urged Garcia to reconsider her decision, saying his province has been classified by the Department of Agriculture as ASF-free.

Diaz said swine raisers in Negros Occidental relayed their concerns with the provincial government, especially those with existing contracts in Central Visayas.

Negros Occidental has a P6-billion swine industry and is among the top exporters of pork products in the country.