Bacolod City – Some P15.4 million worth of pork and poultry products were barred from the province since the Negros Occidental Veterinary Office implemented protective measures against the African Swine Fever (ASF) and recently the Avian Influenza or Bird Flu.
PVO head Dr. Renante Decena said that during the implementation of the anti-ASF measures in 2020, they have either blocked or intercepted P5 million worth of pork and pork products.
Some of the pork products were returned to their points of origin, while others were confiscated and later destroyed either by setting them on fire or burying the products.
During the first quarter of 2021, the PVO seized another P2.5 million worth of pork products, bringing the total to P7.5 million.
Meanwhile, since implementing the ban on poultry products, Decena said they already intercepted P7.9 million worth of the said products.
Negros Occidental banned the entry of poultry products last March 1 after the first reported cases of the Bird Flu surfaced in Central and Southern Luzon, and in Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) also adopted stricter measures against bird flu, after outbreaks were confirmed in some parts of Luzon recently.
Based on a memorandum released by the agency, they have ordered to regulate the movement of ducks, quail, chicken, and other poultry products in affected areas, particularly those located within one kilometer of a quarantine area.
Farm owners must comply with the transport requirements in compliance with the prescribed surveillance period, diagnostic tests, and biosecurity protocol of the World Organization for animal health. (Dolly Tasa via The Daily Guardian, photo courtesy of Sunstar)