Iloilo City bans pork products from ASF-hit areas

By Tara Yap

ILOILO CITY – A 90-day ban on pork products from areas with verified cases of the African swine fever (ASF) has been imposed in this city, which is the regional capital of Western Visayas.

(AFP / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Mayor Jerry Treñas signed an executive order that covers a ban on the entry of live pigs, hog carcasses, pork meat, and pork by-products coming from ASF-affected areas.

Treñas’ executive order not only protects Iloilo City from ASF, but also protects the multi-billion peso Western Visayas’ hog industry.

As the trade and commercial hub of Western Visayas, Treñas emphasized there was a need to take steps to avert the entry of pork products tainted with ASF.

Treñas also noted that Iloilo was also an inter-regional port of entry and exit, especially the Iloilo International Port.

While Iloilo provincial government also temporarily banned pork products from ASF-affected areas, key leaders in the swine industry were asking for a total ban as a more stringent safety measure.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the letter of the Iloilo-Bacolod Association of Veterinary Sales Representatives has been forwarded to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to get the latter’s input if a total ban would be needed at this time.