Hograisers joining ASF vaccine trial assured of compensation

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has given assurance that hograisers who participate in the controlled vaccination against African swine fever would receive indemnification should their pigs die as a result of the ASF vaccine.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Administrative Circular No. 5, which provides the guidelines on the controlled vaccine trial.

The DA and the Bureau of Animal Industry have started vaccinating hogs in Lobo, Batangas, the “ground zero” of ASF outbreaks.

“Pigs that die as a direct result of the ASF vaccine or its administration will be eligible for indemnification. If the deaths of the pigs were due to ASF infection, the existing indemnification guidelines for ASF outbreaks will be applied,” Tiu Laurel said in the circular.

Administrative Order No. 10, also issued by Tiu Laurel, set the amounts of indemnification at P4,000 for each piglet, P8,000 for a grower and P12,000 for each breeder.

Tiu Laurel said that transport of vaccinated pigs for slaughter would be permitted only after the animals have undergone a minimum of 30 days of post-vaccination monitoring and test negative for ASF.

“Clearance for the movement of vaccinated pigs must comply with current regulations, including securing a certificate of free-ASF status,” Tiu Laurel said.

He said pigs that test positive for ASF and show symptoms of the virus must be culled.

Animals that test positive, but do not show symptoms of ASF must be subjected to further monitoring and testing.

Tiu Laurel said that after a seven-day holding period, the pigs must be retested for virus clearance.

He said farms that do not comply with the provisions of the circular would be deemed ineligible for any form of indemnification or compensation.