Negocc steps up regulations on entry, exit of livestock transport vehicles
IN THE bid to further safeguard its P6-billion swine industry, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental has intensified its regulation measures on the movement of transport vehicles in the province.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson recently signed Executive Order (EO) No. 21-11 Series of 2021, also known as An Order Establishing Regulations on the Entry To and Exit From Negros Occidental of Livestock Transport Vehicles.
Lacson, in the EO issued on February 17, said the continuing outbreaks of the African Swine Fever (ASF) in Luzon, Mindanao and Eastern Visayas remain a threat to the swine industry of the province.
He said the depletion of hog population in Asfaffected areas resulted to a source-out of hog supply from areas that are still free from the dreaded disease affecting swine like Negros Occidental.
“Various orders were already issued to address this concern but nevertheless there’s still a pressing need to strengthen existing rules and regulation,” the governor added.
Under the EO, the entry to Negros Occidental of transport vehicles originating from Luzon, Mindanao and Region 8 remains to be prohibited.
Only transport vehicles accredited with the provincial government through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) shall be allowed entry into the province.
The provincial government further reserves the right to refuse entry of transport vehicles originating from ASF stricken areas to be declared by the Department of Agriculture (DA), it added.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said the province is further strengthening the regulation measure as a study made by the Philippine College of Swine Practitioners showed that pig hauler trucks from infected areas are “high risk” because these deliver pigs to different abattoirs.
So only those from “green zones” or areas free from ASF like Regions 6 and 7 are allowed entry and exit, Decena said, adding that trucks delivering stocks to “red zones” like Metro Manila will just drop down the pigs and travel back.
Meaning, they will not reach the farms and other production areas infected by the ASF, the provincial veterinarian explained.
Since Wednesday last week, there’s been no more entry and exit of livestock transport vehicles from Luzon, Mindanao, Leyte in the Visayas and other “red zones” in the country.
“Like hog vans through ships, they deliver pigs and back. For downtime clearance, it must again stay here seven days after arrival and disinfection,” he added.
For outbound transport of live hogs and livestock, the EO stated that those originating from Negros Occidental shall be allowed provided outbound transport vehicles used shall secure a Provincial Livestock Transport Clearance from the PVO.
The outbound transport vehicle should also be accredited with the DA as a livestock transport carrier and should obtain a livestock handler’s permit prior to shipment.
Also, a livestock transport route plan shall be prepared by the transport vehicle owner or shipper and must be submitted to the PVO at least three days before the scheduled date of travel.
For inbound transport vehicles, meanwhile, it should be duly registered or accredited with the provincial government.
Aside from observing the seven-day downtime in a designated area identified by the local ASF task force, the inbound transport vehicle should inform the local government unit (LGU) where its yard or garage is located.
Other guidelines included the issuance of a downtime period monitoring slip by the LGU which shall be forwarded to the PVO; strict monitoring of the disinfection and cleaning of the transport vehicles during the downtime period; and issuance of a certificate of downtime compliance by the LGU upon the compliance of the vehicle.
The EO also set the guidelines on the entry of empty transport vehicles.
It stated that the transport vehicle is duly registered or accredited by the provincial government and has a valid Negros Occidental Provincial Livestock Livestock Transport Clearance.
Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the transport vehicles should also be conducted prior to its entry to Negros Occidental.
Thereafter, a disinfection certificate shall be issued by the provincial veterinarian of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) quarantine officer or inspector of the province of origin.
Upon arrival at ports of Negros Occidental, the vehicles shall again undergo disinfection and secure a disinfection certificate and notice of quarantine from the Provincial ASF Task Force.
Observance of the sevenday downtime in a designated area identified by the local ASF task force where thorough disinfection of the transport vehicles shall also be undertaken, it added.
But, how about the transport of live hogs and other livestock from Western and Central Visayas that passes through Negros Occidental?
Based on the EO, these vehicles should also observe the downtime period of seven days at their point of origin where thorough disinfection be made.
Transport vehicles originating from Regions 6 and 7 shall be allowed entry into the province only upon the presentation of BAI Disinfection Certificate, Negros Occidental Provincial Livestock Transport Clearance, shipping permit, livestock handler’s permit, DA accreditation as livestock transport carrier, livestock route plan, farm registration if applicable, and others documents that can be required late on.
All persons or establishments violating the provisions of the EO as well as the health and safety protocols established by the Department of Health and Interagency Task force against Emerging Infectious Diseases, other agencies, and the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental shall face appropriate administrative or criminal charges.
“The issuance of the EO is one measure to further strengthen our drive against ASF. We now have an institutionalized, stronger and more in place regulation,” the provincial veterinarian said./epn