Quarantine rules tightened over entry or animals, meat and plants

KIDAPAWAN CITY - The Philippines have imposed a strict quarantine measure to prevent the entry of animal and plant diseases, especially the African swine fever that now threatens the hog industry and the Panama disease or Fusarium wilt that infects banana plants in the country.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said they will seize fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and meat products and plants entering the country without the necessary permits. He said importers must secure the needed permits as part of the strict implementation of quarantine rules or protocols. “Please don’t bring in the above-mentioned products without first securing the needed sanitary permits,” he said.

Piñol said the complacency of quarantine officers in the past had resulted to the entry of the African swine fever and Panama disease. “Let me just remind you of the implications if we become complacent or if we accommodate requests for exemptions. As the name suggests, the disease originated from another country. How do you think it got here? That is a result of complacency of quarantine officers,” he said.

“Alam ko marami ang magtatampo, but I hope you will understand the dangers that your acts could inflict on Philippine Agriculture. Right now, there is the African swine fever that threatens the country’s hog industry and we have to institute strict Quarantine Protocols,” he said, adding, “The Philippine banana industry now is facing a serious problem because of Fusarium or Panama Disease.” (With a report from Rhoderick Beñez)