The Bacolod City anti-African swine fever task force will recommend a ban on the importation of pork into the city amid ongoing matters surrounding African swine fever, which they will pass on to Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who is then called on to forward an ordinance proposal to ban the importation of hogs and pork products into the city.
The proposal would be similar to the ordinance earlier passed by the Negros Occidental Provincial Board.
City agriculturist, Atty. Goldwyn Nifras, who heads the task force, called the ordinance a protective measure to the locality’s swine industry.
A meeting was also scheduled this week in order to discuss the recommendation.
Meanwhile, with Christmas parties being celebrated across the city, Nifras assured consumers they have nothing to fear as the city remains free of swine fever.
Earlier, Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer urged the Bacolod City government to support the provincial ordinance banning the entry of pork and pork products and noted, while the provincial government respects Bacolod City as a “highly-urbanized city,” it is the responsibility of the provincial government to protect local hog producers.
“If the problem is supply, I urge my fellow Negrenses to patronize our local pork products,” the vice governor urged./DGB, WDJ