Only hogs, pork and by-products from the provinces of neighboring Negros Occidental and in Region 7 (Central Visayas) are allowed in Negros Oriental to prevent the entry of the African swine fever (ASF).
Dr. Alfonso Tundag, quarantine officer of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) here, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview on Tuesday that all other regions, except for the province of Negros Occidental, are banned from transporting live pigs, raw and processed meat and by-products.
“Negros Occidental, which shares boundaries with Negros Oriental, remains ASF-free but has tightened its watch against the disease considering that it belongs to the Western Visayas region, and Iloilo has reported suspect cases,” he said in mixed English and Cebuano.
But these animals and by-products coming from Negros Occidental must have complete papers before they can be brought to Negros Oriental, he added.
Tundag said Governor Roel Degamo recently issued Executive Order No. 40 that includes the ban from other regions as well as the strict monitoring of pigs and by-products in and out of the province.
On Monday, authorities prohibited the transport of a piglet from Mabinay town, Negros Oriental to Cebu province in the absence of documentation requirements, the quarantine officer said.
With the upcoming Christmas season, Tundag said only one brand of ham is allowed in Negros Oriental while the rest is prohibited.
Virginia hams and other similar processed and canned food are manufactured by Virginia Foods, Inc. based in nearby Cebu province.
Tundag stressed that pigs, pork meat, and by-products coming from the Central Visayas provinces of Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor are required to present the proper papers for shipment to Negros Oriental.
SOURCE: PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY