Culling of pigs will stop ASF spread – BAI

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) warned the public yesterday on the spread of African swine fever (ASF) following the order of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to stop the culling of hogs in Carcar City.

At a press conference, BAI Director Paul Imson said the tests conducted on affected hogs were based on standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

”That’s the guidelines of WOAH. It requires the culling of affected hogs as the ASF virus can easily spread,” Imson said.

He said ASF may spread to other areas if culling is delayed. “That is the risk we all have to take,” he said.

Imson stressed the need to depopulate hog farms within a 500-meter radius of the affected area.

Citing a report from Department of Agriculture (DA)-Central Visayas executive director Angel Enriquez, Imson said Garcia is set to issue an executive order to formalize her position against the culling of pigs.

”We will address that accordingly,” Imson said.

Meanwhile, Carcar city administrator Jose Marie Poblete admitted a drop in the sale of lechon and chicharon in the city due to the ASF scare.

DA-Central Visayas spokesperson for ASF Daniel Ventura Jr. gave assurance that there is no pork shortage in Cebu despite ASF cases in Carcar. – The Freeman