Traders from ‘green zones’ can supply pigs, pork to infected areas

AN OFFICIAL of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said hog breeders and traders in towns and cities under the “green zone” can still supply live pigs for slaughter, breeding, genetic materials and frozen products to areas under the red zone, or those with African swine fever (ASF) cases.

Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy, PVO head, said in a meeting on Thursday, March 9, with representatives of the veterinary office of each local government units (LGUs) affected with ASF that stakeholders in the hog industry must first secure all necessary documents and follow the guidelines in the movement of live pigs in each colored zones.

With the detection of ASF in Carcar City, Vincoy reminded the veterinary offices’ representatives to be vigilant and check all the documents and permits with regards to the transportation of live hogs intended for slaughtering and other reasons.

She said that under the Department of Agriculture (DA) Administrative Order 2, Series of 2022, the movement of live pigs and its products must be based on colored zones.

Carcar City was placed under the red zone (infected), while adjacent municipalities such as San Fernando, Sibonga, Aloguinsan, and Barili were identified as pink or buffer zones.

The Municipality of Pinamungajan, Dumanjug, and Argao and the City of Naga were under the yellow or surveillance zone.

Under the light green or protected zone were the towns of Minglanilla, Dalaguete, Badian, Moalboal, Alcantara, and Ronda, including the City of Toledo.

The rest of Cebu Province remained in dark green zone, which means they are still free from ASF.

“Lahi ang mga movement sa pink zone, lahi usab ang movement sa yellow zone ug kung pink zone ka kay pink-to-pink ka,” Vincoy said.

She added that the movement of live hogs must be an entry-approach, meaning the transportation of pigs must start from the green zone going to areas under the yellow, pink, and red zones.

“Pasulod dapat, ang yellow to pink zone, to red so pwede sila maka-provide sa other areas but not pagawas,” Vincoy added.

However, movement of live pigs intended for slaughtering from areas under red zones such as Carcar into other colored zones remained strictly prohibited, but the hogs can be moved to areas under the infected zone.

“Ang purpose ani kay if ever naay spillover or sa higayun nga naay mga baboy nga mogawas gikan sa Carcar (City) kay ma-detect dayun nato and at the same time, ma-intensify ang ubang LGUs sa ilahang surveillance ug kuhaan nato og additional sample,” Vincoy said.

Hog breeders and traders must secure a Veterinary Health Certificate and a backyard swine farm registration, also known as Pink Form, as a requirement for the local transportation of pigs within the Province of Cebu.

But under the DA Administrative Order 2, Series of 2022, live pig traders must present an Animal Welfare Registration Certificate; Veterinary Health Certificate; Livestock, poultry products and by products Transport Carrier Registration; Livestock, poultry products and by products Handlers License; and Certificate of Free Status for ASF.

The testing should be done every six months thereafter to build evidence of surveillance. (EHP)