LINGAYEN: The temporary total ban on the entry of live swine, pork, and pork by-products from areas under red zone for African swine fever (ASF) remains in place to prevent the recurrence of the disease in the province.
Strict animal quarantine border checkpoints are also being implemented, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Arcely Robeniol said in an interview on Friday.
‘We are proactive in the ASF control measures. We have to protect and secure our province,’ she said.
The temporary total ban from red zone areas was enforced through Executive Order No. 0102 series of 2023 signed by Governor Ramon Guico III on Oct. 1, 2023.
Areas tagged as red zone means there are municipalities or cities with confirmed outbreaks of ASF or when ASF is detected in a village and has spread to other villages within the same municipality within 15 days.
Robeniol said animal quarantine checkpoints have been set up in Mabilao, San Fabian; Asan Sur in Sison; Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) in Pozorrubio; and TPLEX Urda
neta City.
She said traders’ documents are thoroughly assessed before a certificate of acceptance is issued.
Documents to be presented for live animals include certificate of ASF-free status, ASF negative result, veterinary health certificate, veterinary shipping permit, livestock handler’s license and livestock carrier license, among others.
A certificate of meat inspection should be presented for swine products, Robeniol said.
“As of this date, we have no confirmed and active cases of ASF in the province,” she added.
The Department of Agriculture Ilocos Region confirmed ASF presence in seven villages in La Union namely in Balaoan town, two in Luna town and one in San Fernando City, La Union.
Source: Philippines News Agency