After reports showed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will issue a memorandum encouraging the lifting of bans on processed pork products, the Negros Occidental Provincial Anti-Swine Fever Task Force, through a document signed by Provincial Veterinary Office head, Dr. Renante Decena, and concurred by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, is recommending the continuation of the existing 90-day ban on pork and pork products originating from Luzon.
While DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the memorandum would lift the ban on processed pork products registered with the Food and Drug Administration, the provincial task force claimed “premature lifting” will pose serious and irreversible damage to the province’s P6-billion swine industry.
The task force said they will move towards the reconsideration of any memorandum as such a policy would be harmful to Negros Occidental’s food security
Earlier this month, Lacson said he is considering extending the ongoing ban amid concerns over the African swine fever.
According to the governor, an extension was being mulled as the entry of imported pork from nations not affected by African swine fever will be banned, especially if they passed through the Port of Manila.
He also said an extension would be implemented if the virus continues to spread after the 90-day ban./DGB, WDJ