By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The production of pork in Negros Occidental remains strong amid a shortage of supply warning from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) due to African swine fever (ASF).
Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said backyard production remained good and so does the province’s commercial hog raisers.
Diaz also said biosecurity measures against ASF are also being strictly implemented.
They are working to have their Provincial Veterinary Office Laboratory’s Level 2 accreditation approved.
The laboratory now has the capability to perform reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for ASF.
They also have an enzyme-linked immunoassay test machine — commonly used laboratory equipment to detect antibodies in the blood — for avian influenza (AI).
These tools are needed to keep the province safe from diseases plaguing the country’s hog and poultry industry.
“Regardless of what happens outside, may food security sa aton probinsya. If we are lucky to keep that status nga ASF-free, AI-free kita in the next five to 10 years, we hope to feed Negros Occidental, Western Visayas and other parts of the country,” Diaz said.
He said all pork products coming from “ASF red areas” remain banned from entering Negros Occidental.
They will not risk the province’s hog industry just for a small pack of pork tocino or chorizo coming from outside the province.
“Diri ka na lang bakal sa aton, kag indi na ‘ta mag-ubra sang steps nga makahalit sa probinsya kag sa iya livestock industry,” Diaz said.
He further added that Negros Occidental wants to be the “stronghold” of the country’s food production capabilities.
The BAI projects a shortage in the supply of local pork will be felt in the coming months due to ASF, which now affects 17 provinces in 10 regions in the country.
The lack of supply will be felt from April until June this year, the BAI said.
However, the Department of Agriculture said the country has an “enough supply” of frozen imported pork./With a report from ABS-CBN News / DGB, WDJ