DA negotiating with USDA for ASF vaccines

MANILA, Philippines — The government continues to negotiate with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct trials for the vaccine against the African swine fever (ASF) in the country, an official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

In a radio interview with dzBB over the weekend, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Noel Reyes said the DA is in talks with the USDA for vaccines that are currently being tested in Vietnam.

“We are communicating with the USDA so that we will be given a sample to test it here on a clinical trial first, then in the field,” Reyes said in Filipino.

Reyes expressed hope for the success of the vaccine, saying the initial reports from Vietnam have been positive.

Without disclosing figures, Reyes said Agriculture Secretary William Dar has instructed the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to allocate a budget for the potential vaccine.

Last month, Dar issued a special order creating a technical working committee (TWC) for the development and manufacture of a vaccine for the ASF.

Based on the SO, the TWC will coordinate with the USDA, UK Pirbright and other international research institutions regarding the licensing, material transfer, development and manufacture of ASF vaccine.

It will also facilitate the clinical trials of ASF vaccine that will be made available to ensure the safety and efficacy and eventual registration of such.

The TWC is also tasked to fasttrack the procurement of ASF vaccine development, trial and manufacturing.

BAI director Reildrin Morales was named chair of the TWC, while National Livestock Program (NLP) director Ruth Miclat was identified as co-chair.

Latest data show that the Philippines has a total of 7,845 ASF cases. The country recorded 173 new outbreaks and an additional 84,064 hogs culled.