PAMPI asks Cebu for ‘win-win’ solutions against ASF

CEBU CITY – The Philippine Association of Meat Processors, Inc. (PAMPI) has asked the Cebu Province for “win-win” solutions to consider in tackling the African swine fever (ASF) problem.

PAMPI issued this statement after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia decided to extend the ban on pork products from Luzon to June, 2020 in a bid to prevent the entry of ASF into the province.

PAMPI recognized Garcia’s actions, specifically her decision to extend the ban to June, 2020 which is based on her appreciation of the pros and cons of her choices based on the inputs of her technical and business advisory teams. The group also acknowledged Garcia’ responsibility for the R11-billion swine industry in the province.

“We are also thankful that Garcia has realized that sales and marketability of pigs in Cebu has gone down. We hope though that she will see things from a wider perspective and work with industry stakeholders for ‘win-win’ solutions,” PAMPI said.

For PAMPI, it said that it would continue to advance the meat processing industry and maintain its commitment to truthfulness in its advocacy to educate consumers and stakeholders.

The group added that it adhered to the empirical truth established by the OIE (World Animal Health Organization) that the ASF virus is killed and rendered incapable of infecting pigs when our products are subjected to 70 degrees Centigrade for at least 30 minutes.

“Our commitment to the nonpresence of ASF virus in the imported pork that we bring-in from DAapproved non-ASF infected countries has been proven over and over in the tests done by DA/BAI and in independent tests done on our raw materials,” PAMPI said.