Davao City temporarily bans live pigs, pork products from Luzon

September 26, 2019

Davao City has ordered a temporary ban on all live pigs and pork products from Luzon and other areas affected by African Swine Fever.

“The temporary ban applies to all live pigs, pork and pork-related products and by-products, whether fresh, frozen, processed or cooked, including but not limited to frozen boar semen, from the entire island of Luzon and the other ASF-affected areas,” said Mayor Sara Duterte said through an executive order released on September 25.

The order, which was for immediate implementation, also included the prohibition of feeding of raw swill or food wastes, also known as “lamaw” in the dialect, to pigs in Davao City.

Last September 9, the Department of Agriculture Crisis Management Task Force on Swine CMTF issued Bulletin No. 5 declaring the presence of ASF in the country.

The agriculture department also vigorously applied the “1-7-10 Protocol” in ASF affected areas in Luzon that includes veterinary quarantine movement protocol during animal disease outbreaks and emergencies.

“There is a possibility that the African Swine Fever may reach the city in such proportions that would affect the food safety and food security of the city,” the mayor said.

There is a need, she said, to protect the city’s hog industry from the potential threat of ASF and from possible economic loss.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued FDA Order No. 045 as early as May 27 this year on the “Temporary Ban of Entry of Pork Meat Products from countries affected with the ASF.

This was in effect a warning to all food business operators against imports, distribution and sale of banned products from affected countries.

“The swine industry stakeholders should be vigilant in their areas of responsibilities. All are hereby alerted and directed to prepare protective measures to prevent the spread of the swine disease into our city,” she said.

Among the measures recommended by the EO are strict bio security and good animal husbandry practices in the farms for swine raisers; prohibition on the feeding of raw swill or food wastes to pigs.

The EO also urged swine raisers to use commercially available feeds or self formulated feeds using conventional or non-conventional feed ingredients sourced from areas that are not affected with ASF.

Any suspicious incidence of mortality in pigs should be reported to the City Veterinarian’s Office.

Hotel and restaurant operators and other food establishments and food wastes collectors should ensure proper disposal of table left-overs or food wastes or swill. 

Livestock dealers, on the other hand, are urged to ensure all animals for transport and slaughter are accompanied by necessary documents such as Veterinary Health Certificate or Animal inspection Certificate and Shipping Permits.

Meat vendors and suppliers and meat processors are also strictly discouraged from selling meat and processed meat that are illegally slaughtered, undocumented or sourced from illegal markets. DMS