FMD gives Davao swine raisers the scare

Davaoeños have joined the call of Davao Hog Raisers Association and Davao Hog Farmers Cooperative for the DA to immediately and strictly implement A.O. No.5 which includes a ban on shipments from Luzon to Mindanao.

"They have not even strictly implemented the meat ban which was issued years ago, now they are lifting it. What will happen to our livelihood if FMD enters Mindanao? Will the DA give us money to feed our families?" says George Peñafiel, a backyard hog raiser.

Since the DA’s admission of the temporary suspension of the ban, Davaoñeos have strongly expressed their concern against the possible entry of foot-and-mouth disease infected animals from Luzon.

In a letter signed by Severino P. Mercado, president of Davao Hog Farmers Association and by Teresita M. Pascual, chairperson of the Davao Hog Raisers Cooperative, they say that the suspension "is unbelievable especially at this time when all of us Filipinos whether we are in the Visayas or Mindanao have to bind together and work hard to be more productive and competitive even with our meager resources." Both organizations are calling on the Bureau of Animal Industry and the secretary of agriculture in particular to instead strictly impose the ban to preserve the FMD-free status of Mindanao.

"Those in the DA know firsthand, the effects of FMD to the economy, they should know that any kind of leniency will lead to disastrous effects," says Boie Cadano, a businessman who has backyard pigpens. "Even if they say that the ban at temporary, the decision is still very risky and their reason for the suspension is lame."

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has been receiving similar reactions from different sectors here in Davao City, criticizing the suspension of the ban in a time when FMD is widespread in Luzon. The Department of Agriculture itself reported high occurrence of the disease from May to June this year.

"Kahit hindi siguro nakaapekto sa tao ang FMD, nakakatakot pa rin isipin na magkakaroon ng FMD ang mga baboy natin dito sa Mindanao. May iba pa namang nagbebenta ng mga patay na sa sakit, kakatayin pa para sa palengke, lalo na kung malaki na ang nalugi sa kanila dahil sa FMD," says KC Hornido, college student.

All eyes are now on the Bureau. Department of Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor announced that it has intensified its vaccination activities in Luzon admitting that an outbreak may be possible if the disease is not controlled.

The Davao Hog Farmers Association and Davao Hog Raisers Cooperative also said that the DA must also try their best to "work for Luzon’s FMD free status."