Negros Occidental hog shipments down 70 percent

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Hog shipments from Negros Occidental to other areas in the country dropped by almost 70 percent last month, according to provincial veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana.

She said only 3,000 heads were shipped out in August compared to 10,000 in July.

Lemana said this was after the Bureau of Animal Industry canceled the issuance of certificates of free status to backyard hog raisers when African swine fever (ASF) was reported in seven areas in the province.

Negros Occidental has a P6-billion swine industry and is among the top exporters of pork products in the country.

The hog industry in the province has incurred losses amounting to P199.5 million due to hog cholera, ASF and other swine diseases.

Authorities said swine diseases were reported in 153 barangays in 20 towns and cities, which affected 3,536 hog raisers.

Lemana said Negros Occidental logged zero hog mortalities from Aug. 11 to 22 and from Aug. 24 to Sept. 11.

Swine diseases affected 17,801 hogs or 9.96 percent of the total swine population in Negros Occidental, data from the provincial veterinary office showed.

Lemana said backyard hog raisers should be ready for an ASF recovery program by cleaning and disinfecting the areas where sentinel hogs would be placed.

She said sentinel hogs would be observed for two weeks to one month before swine repopulation would be started.