Group denounces leak on ASF-positive processed meat products

October 26, 2019

The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) on Saturday denounced the "leak" of information on African Swine Fever positive processed meat products. 

On Thursday, a clinical laboratory report by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) dated October 15 said various processed meat products have tested positive for ASF virus.

However, PAMPI spokesperson Rex Agarrado said the premature release of the report was due to a leak. 

"It is a leaked information. It came out in the headlines on Thursday supposedly to have been issued by BAI . Actually, BAI claims it was not issued by them but it is actually stolen by somebody and issued to the press most likely for malicious intent," Agarrado explained in a radio interview over DZMM.

Agarrado said the ASF positive branded products was sorted among the unbranded products  which were seized last October 6 in Calapan City. 

He suggested the possibility of cross-contamination since the samples, huddled together in a single styrofoam, was only sent to Manila for testing nine days later on October 15. 

"It's unfortunate that that branded product was also in the same jumbled sample were collected by BAI," he added. 

The PAMPI spokesperson said the company where the contaminated branded meat products came from should not be revealed yet. 

"Naming that company is unfair because it's not yet official. Yes, we are afraid of ASF but then let's not destroy each other," said Agarrado. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS