DA forges partnerships for ASF vaccine trials

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has partnered with about 10 companies to conduct trials on potential vaccines against African swine fever (ASF), as part of efforts toward recovery of the local hog industry

At the Sulong Pilipinas forum yesterday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the agency continues to implement several measures to check the spread of ASF and promote the repopulation and recovery of the country’s hog industry.

“I am happy to note that the incidence of ASF outbreak has gone down from 3,060 cases in the third quarter of 2020 to only 935 in the first quarter of 2021,” Dar said.

“We have also linked with about 10 companies to undertake trial tests of ASF vaccines.”

Dar identified Zoetis Inc., a global producer of medicine and vaccination for pets and livestock, as among these companies, but the names of other DA partners for the project have yet to be disclosed.

The DA said earlier it continues to negotiate with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct trials for the vaccine against ASF in the country.

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

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

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

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

Apart from vaccines, Dar earlier expressed hope in the development of antiviral products against ASF.

In March, Dar said two Filipino inventors have presented their products to the DA which are aimed to boost hog immunity.

“At the early stage of infection and you are able to see that the pigs are starting to exhibit the symptoms of ASF, and you are able to apply the said product, the pigs can recover easily, because it will build up their immune system,” Dar previously said.

The agriculture secretary explained that the first product involves diluting a solution and spraying it on the hog population, while the second is applied through misting.

Dar said the products are being tested and validated by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

Last week, BAI director Reildrin Morales said the number of ASF cases continues to drop, reporting that nearly 80 percent of cities and municipalities previously infected with the virus have no new cases.

Morales said as of April 16, 78.43 percent or 389 of the 493 cities and municipalities that have been affected by ASF reported no infections for more than 90 days.

Of the total, 84 areas had no reported cases in the past 90 to 180 days.

In addition, 305 of the areas had no reported cases for more than 180 days.

ASF ‘second surge’ possible

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros warned of a possible second wave of ASF in the Philippines if the “tidal wave” of pork imports continues.

Hontiveros said the DA must prepare as the massive importation of pork might lead to a situation similar to the COVID-19 pandemic where there is also an apparent second wave.

“DA Secretary Dar should prepare. If the tidal wave of imports continues, not as unlikely as in COVID-19, there will also be a second surge of ASF in pigs,” Hontiveros said. “And if this happens, it is possible that the local hog industry in the country will continue to collapse.”

Hontiveros said the second surge may be even worse than what happened in 2020.

“Our local industry may be wiped out completely because imports were allowed, but the First Border Inspection facilities failed to be built, which only has a budget allocation in 2019,” Hontiveros said.

Although Executive Order 128 allows the importation of pork, Hontiveros said the DA has the power not to issue additional import licenses that they think will affect local pig farmers.

Hontvieros supported the filing of a lawsuit by the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) against Dar for his failure to implement the country’s food safety regulation.

“SINAG has the right to go to court if it thinks that their rights have been violated due to non-enforcement of the law. I hope the judiciary will side with our hog-raisers, chicken producers and fisherfolk,” she said.

The group filed a case with the Office of the Ombudsman on April 23 for Dar’s alleged continued failure to implement food safety standards and regulations under Republic Act No. 10611 or the Food Safety Act. – Cecille Suerte Felipe