THE National Meat Inspection Service in Davao Region (NMIS-Davao) has not recorded any cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) infected pork in the 11 accredited cold storage facilities and in the markets in the region so far.
NMIS Davao regional technical director Rolando Marquez said this is the effect of the temporary import bans on pork coming from Luzon and other ASF-affected countries implemented by different areas in the Davao region.
He said no pork products in the market are ASF positive.
“We inspect the markets all over the region 3 to 4 days a week. Walang na-encounter na may tama ang team namin (Our team did not encounter ASF positive pork products),” said Marquez.
He said they have not received any complaints from pork traders regarding the supply since only pork meats are being regulated.
“Sa ngayon, wala pa silang nai-air na concern as to kung nawawalan ba sila ng storage. Sa ngayon, puno pa yung storage natin (Right now, they have not aired any concerns as to the decrease of supply in their storage. Our storage ars still full),” said Marquez.
As of January to August this year, the cold storage facilities in the region hold more than 6 million kilos of meat. It includes chicken, beef, among others.
However, while the temporary import pork ban protects the hogs industry, Marquez said that a decline in pork supply in Davao is possible.
“Pwedeng mag slow down yung supply natin dito ng pork at pork products kasi nga binabawal na dito sa Davao. Temporarily lang naman siya,” he said.
He said he has instructed traders to deliver pork products from foreign countries directly to the region.
“Our instruction to the traders, i-derecho na from halimbawa, from sources abroad para hindi ka madali ng technicalities (Our instruction to the traders, delivery it directly, for example, from sources abroad so they will not be caught up with technicalities),” he said.
Meanwhile, the Malacañang on Thursday, October 24, ordered all government agencies to adopt policies and measures that will help stop the spread of ASF in the country. The directive came after samples taken from hotdog, longganisa, and tocino coming from a Manila-based company tested positive for ASF. ((With report from SunStar Philippines)