TRADERS are now allowed to ship swine, fresh and frozen pork and pork products provided they present documents in designated animal quarantine checkpoints in Benguet province.
Governor Melchor Diclas through an executive order lifted the ban on the entry of live swine, fresh and frozen pork and pork products coming from areas outside of the 10-kilometer radius of African Swine Fever (ASF) infected areas and establishing the guidelines for their entry.
Several executive orders were issued last year temporarily banning the entry of pigs, fresh and frozen pork and pork products in the province from cities and provinces affected by the disease.
"The province remains free from African Swine Fever and thus, all measures to prevent the disease' entry into the province must be instituted through the combine efforts of the provincial, municipal and barangay local government units, and the Philippine National Police," the order added.
In the executive order, shipments with falsified and tampered documents will be confiscated at the animal quarantine checkpoints while the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian are tasked to maintain and update list of areas which are within the 10 kilometer radius of ASF infected areas.
Traders with live animals must present veterinary health certificate issued by duly licensed veterinarian, negative laboratory test results of different swine diseases including ASF, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Livestock Handler's license, BAI livestock carrier certificate, veterinary shipping permit issued by BAI and deputize quarantine officer.
They must also have certification that the farm is ASF free from BAI and barangay certification from the village chief of the barangay of origin certifying that the shipped-in swine are needed from the particular barangay.
All shipment without required shipping condition such as refrigeration will also be confiscated and disposed of immediately.
Provincial Veterinarian Miriam Tiongan said despite the lifting of the ban, quarantine checkpoints continue to monitor entry of live pigs and pork products in the province.
In the previous year including holidays, a total of 111 shipments were intercepted including 417 heads of swine.
Some 80 shipments were also denied but allowed to enter after securing requirement permits.
Inspection and checkpoints are located in Kennon Road, Marcos Highway, Tadiangan, Banganan in Sablan, Bokod, Bangao in Buguias and Colalo in Mankayan.