Decena: Improving local processing will eliminate the need for importation
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental provincial veterinary officer said they have further strengthened protocols in the strict monitoring of meat products amid fears over the African swine fever. Provincial Veterinary Office head, Dr. Renante Decena, said they already have several meat products “on hold.”
He said, during monitoring, they request documentation for those transporting meat, including a certificate of meat inspection and shipping permits.
Decena said they have personnel at ports in Bacolod City, Escalante City, and San Carlos City.
To further combat swine fever, Decena said one of the solutions they are considering is the improvement of local hog raising associations’ meat processing capabilities. He noted, by improving meat processing capabilities, importing meat products will no longer be necessary and will ensure products being sold to consumers are safe.
Last month, a task force was formed to handle swine flu, which regulates the sale of frozen meat throughout Negros Occidental. In addition, the provincial office also pulled pork products from China off market shelves across the province, including the brands Narcissus, Heaven Temple, Ma Ling, Shabu Shabu, Sol Primo, Wang Taste of Korea, Highway, Sky Dragon, and Weilin.
Based on studies conducted by veterinarians outside the Philippines, the infection is believed to originate from ornithodoros, a type of soft-bodied tick.
Hogs are infected after they are bitten by the tick, which then contaminates their blood.
The virus has no effect on humans but there is a need for strict monitoring at airports and seaports in order to prevent the virus from entering the country.
The provincial office moved to monitor the entry of meat products after the Department of Agriculture announced they recorded several “suspicious” deaths of hogs in some areas of the country./DGB, WDJ