Negros bans hogs, pork products from Leyte, Samar

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Live pigs and pork-related food items from Eastern Visayas will not be allowed to enter Negros Occidental to prevent the spread of African swine fever or ASF.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday issued a memorandum banning the entry of live pigs, boar semen, pork products and related food items from Eastern Visayas.

Lacson ordered all mayors and the province’s ASF task force to intensify the implementation of preventive measures.

The order was issued after the Department of Agriculture confirmed the first case of ASF in Abuyog, Leyte.

Negros Occidental is one of the major hog producers in the country and serves as a gateway for hogs that are being transported to Luzon as well as to Central and Eastern Visayas.

The task force seized at least P5 million worth of banned pork products last year.

The World Organization for Animal Health classified ASF as a severe and highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs only.