BAHW, LOCAL HOG RAISERS, MEAT BUSINESS OPERATORS GATHER TO FIGHT ASF

NEWS | 2020/02/24 | LKRO

BAHW, LOCAL HOG RAISERS, MEAT BUSINESS OPERATORS GATHER TO FIGHT ASF

KIDAPAWAN CITY – On February 19, 2020, the City Veterinarian together with representatives from San Miguel B-Meg conducted a forum on ASF in Barangay Magsaysay.

Barangay Animal Health Workers, local hog raisers and meat business operators attended the forum.

Dr. Gilda Flauta, DVM from B-Meg served as lecturer of the said forum.

She is urging hog raisers to refrain from slaughtering the animal right in their own backyard as it may contribute to the possible contamination of ASF.

ASF virus on contaminated pork can still thrive, even if frozen and can last up to 1,000 days, she said.

She also emphasized that hog raisers need to clean and disinfect their farms on a regular basis as ASF virus can be killed through the use of disinfectants.

Showing graphic data through a Power Point presentation, Dr. Flauta revealed that the Philippines, being the 8 biggest producer of hogs in the world, has already lost around 4 million out of the 12.7 million swine population in 2019 as a result of the African Swine Fever that broke out in piggeries in Southern Luzon.

She is urging all stakeholders to help the Government in containing the disease as it will adversely affect the economy and livelihood of many hog raisers and producers as well as meat business operators.

“Pork sold at the City Mega Market is safe to eat.”

This according to the City Veterinary Office as assurance to all consumers in the city amidst the issue on African Swine Fever.

ASF virus cannot harm humans but consumers are advised to buy pork only at the Mega Market or meat shops certified by the National Meat Inspection Service or NMIS to ensure its safety, City Veterinarian Dr. Eugene Gornez, DVM said in an interview.

“Pork is safe to eat because it passes through the City Slaughterhouse and is certified by our office before being sold at the Mega Market. Meat shops can sell pork as long as their products are certified by the NMIS. ”, the official explained.

Though the city swine farms registered negative for ASF, the City Government is intensifying its campaign against the possible spread of the disease.

The City Vet has deployed additional manpower to Makilala Local Government Unit in manning the quarantine check point along the boundary of Cotabato and Davao del Sur.

Likewise, the City Government will strictly enforce the banning of swill feeding on swine.

All restaurants, eateries and food businesses are prohibited to dispose their left overs to backyard hog raisers who may feed these to hogs – a possibility for ASF contamination. ##(cio/ajpme/lkro)