AS THE African swine fever (ASF) incidence is at its lowest level since August 2020, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to implement the government’s P600 million swine repopulation program, focusing initially on previously affected areas that are no longer under quarantine and now classified as “pink” and “yellow” zones.
“We are heartened that the ASF incidence is waning, which as of March 26, 2021, has registered 253 cases, versus 358 cases in January 2021, 330 cases in February 2021, and the highest level at 1,773 cases in August 2020,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar, in a statement.
“This piece of good news boosts the Duterte administration’s swine repopulation program — or the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (Inspire) — that will be implemented in ASF ‘pink’ and ‘yellow’ zones, and more extensively in ASF ‘green’ zones,” said Dar.
As per ASF color-coding scheme, the “pink” zones serve as a buffer, where ASF is not present but adjacent to an infected zone. It may also be an area previously infected but the ASF virus has not been detected for at least 90 days, and thus has recovered from infected status.
Other areas where the Inspire program will be implemented are the “yellow” or surveillance zones, which are ASF-free but adjacent to “yellow” zones; and “light green” and “dark green” zones, which are free from ASF.