FOLLOWING reports from several concerned citizens about online selling of canned pork products from China in Negros Occidental, the Provincial African Swine Fever (ASF) Task Force has conducted an inspection among two online sellers based in Silay City recently.
Based on reports received by the task force, the sellers were offering pre-order sale of a known brand of luncheon meat from China that is currently banned in the country due to ASF concerns.
During the inspection, the products were not yet in their possession.
According to the sellers, these are scheduled to arrive the following week. It is supposed to be their first order of the products.
"However, one of them presented a photo of the receipt from a courier service company which was sent to her by the supplier as proof that her order was on the way after she had paid in full," the task force said.
Upon verification of the said receipt, the inspecting team was able to identify and locate the supplier in Antique.
The task force immediately coordinated with the Regulatory Division of the Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas for appropriate action against the establishment.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena, co-chair of the task force, reminded Negrenses that carrying, transport, shipment, distribution, storing, trading, marketing and sale of pork products from ASF-affected countries and those manufactured or processed in Luzon, Mindanao and Eastern Visayas are prohibited.
The prohibition is provided under Provincial Ordinance 2019-024 or the ASF Prevention Ordinance of Negros Occidental.
"Let us do our part in keeping our province free from ASF to help ensure that we can continue to provide sufficient supply of pork not only for Negros Occidental but also to other provinces that were affected by the dreaded disease affecting swine," the task force added.