Move vs African swine fever: Province will now check wet markets, small traders

CEBU, Philippines — The Provincial African Swine Fever Task Force will now inspect wet markets and small-time retailers following reports of pork products from Luzon finding their way to wet markets in Talisay City.

The pork products were reportedly supplied to Cebu prior to the implementation of the 100-day ban against live hogs, pork and pork-related products from Luzon and the 21 ASF-infected countries.

Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Rose Vincoy, said the provincial government will tighten its link with local government units and would need for the task force to work closely with meat inspectors and sanitary inspectors.

Vincoy said suppliers have resorted to selling their pork products at wet markets since the ban, initially, focused more on supermarkets.

"Ang uban nga mga products sa uban nga gikan sa mga naa na dire daan before the ban, ila na nuong gi-distribute sa wet market. Ang ratsada ron sa surveillance, dili na lang sa supermarket, pati na wet market, pati na ginagmay nga mga stores (The pork products that were already here before the ban took effect are now being distributed at wet markets. Because of this, the surveillance will now cover wet markets and even small stores)," Vincoy said.

Wet markets and small-time retailers will now be subject to inspections and the products will be disposed of through incineration.

Meanwhile, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, chairperson of the Task Force reported that she is set to meet with the Hotel, Restaurants, and Resorts Association in the province along with haulers to discuss the disposal of leftover food.

This is because the province will no longer allow for disposed food wastes to be used as swill for pigs as the threat of the ASF intensifies.

Aside from the local group, the governor will also meet with the Korean association here to discuss a new ban on pork and pork-related products from South Korea as the country has also been affected by ASF.

"We are scheduling a meeting with the Korean Association in order to inform them of the existing EOs (executive orders) which should also now include na banned na ang pork and pork-related products from South Korea," Garcia said. (FREEMAN)