MinDA chief calls for Mindanao-wide hog-raisers forum

MINDANAO hog raisers and stakeholders should remain vigilant against the entry of processed pork products amid the threat from the African Swine Fever (ASF).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the importation and distribution of all processed pork meat products from Hong Kong, North Korea, Laos, Germany, in addition to the list of countries it earlier released, which included China, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, Zambia, South Africa, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Mongolia, Moldova, and Belgium.

“It is important to put safeguard measures to protect Mindanao from the entry of meat imports from China and other countries with ASF,” said Mindanao Development Authority Secretray Emmanuel Piñol, during a meeting with veterinarians and hog raisers on August 27 at MinDA Office.

The safeguards include control in the entry of frozen meats, manning of quarantine checkpoints, and the recall of imported processed meats. Local Government Units must be at the forefront of the strict prohibition of meat imports, Piñol said.

The LGUs need to strengthen monitoring of shipment of animals and processed meats; entry of undocumented animals and meat products may cause spread of virus and other diseases. However, a consolidated effort of stakeholders is necessary.

“There is the need for an island-wide orientation to safeguard Mindanao from entry of processed pork meats from other countries”, Piñol said.

The MinDA Chief also

called for a Mindanao-wide Hog Raisers Orientation on September 9, 2019 in Davao to discuss measures to prevent the entry of the swine virus to Mindanao.

The said forum will be in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and will be participated in by LGUs, backyard hog raisers, commercial hog raisers, veterinarians and quarantine officers.

It will also serve as a venue to evaluate the data of the industry, assess the challenges confronting the Mindanao swine industry and its opportunities.