Gwen to extend ASF ban in Cebu

Cebu, Philippines — The ban on live hogs, pork and pork-related products from Luzon may not be lifted any time soon, as Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia has announced that she is considering extending the ban.

Recently, the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) disclosed that pork products have been tested positive of the African Swine Fever virus. The products which include longganisa, hotdog, and tocino were reportedly manufactured in a medium-sized processing company.

In response, Garcia said she is looking into the prospect of extending the days of the ban on live hogs and pork products from Luzon and the rest of the 21 ASF-infected countries.

“I am really seriously now considering extending beyond the one hundred days,” Garcia said.

The governor added that she promised Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar that if, before the one hundred days of the ban, ASF spread would be contained and the virus eliminated, she would willingly lift the ban.

However, the current state of ASF in Luzon has only gone worse, she said.

“What are we seeing now? It is getting worse and worse, so we must continue to protect Cebu.  I don’t know why we have to try and protect these big businesses when, in the end, those that will be affected will be our own backyard raisers,” Garcia said.

She also pointed that even though the virus does not adversely affect humans, people can be carriers of the disease.

Among the infected countries of ASF are China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Moldova, South Africa, Zambia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, Latvia, Poland, Germany and Romania.  GAN ( FREEMAN)