DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has ordered a temporary ban on all live pigs and pork products from Luzon and other areas to prevent the entry of the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in the city.
The order states the 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.
Duterte-Carpio issued the order, which took effect last September 23, but was only issued to the media on Wednesday, September 25.
The order also included the prohibition of feeding of raw swill or food wastes (lamaw) to pigs in Davao City.
“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 in a statement.
Duterte-Carpio also said there is a need to protect the city’s hog industry from the potential threat of ASF and from any possible economic loss.
Hog Farmers Association of Davao Inc. president Eduardo So, in a previous report, said Davao Region could lose P20 billion when the virus will enter the region.
The order 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.
She added that any suspicious incidence of mortality in pigs should be reported to the City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO).
“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.
The order also bans hotel and restaurant operators, and other food establishments and food wastes collectors from giving away left-overs or food wastes/swill.
Meat vendors/suppliers and meat processors are also discouraged from selling meat and processed meat that are clandestinely or illegally slaughtered, undocumented or sourced from illegal markets.
The executive order was issued after the 19th Davao City Council filed a resolution urging the city mayor to temporary ban all hog products from entering the city after the Department of Agriculture (DA) had confirmed ASF cases in some parts of Luzon.
Earlier, Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, who served as the acting mayor, issued an executive order creating the ASF Task Force.
The task force was formed to monitor and quarantine live animals and by products from entering the city.
CVO stationed quarantine personnel at major checkpoints in the city, wherein footbaths were placed for passengers and other vehicles entering the city.