By CESAR JOLITO III

The hog industry in Negros Occidental is once again facing a major setback as the province grapples with a resurgence of African swine fever (ASF), prompting Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to say the sector will have to “start from scratch.”

Lacson said the province is reverting to the same disease-control measures that helped contain previous ASF outbreaks after the livestock industry had nearly recovered to its pre-outbreak production levels.

“The provincial government has recognized the problem. The solution is different from one another. We were hit before by ASF. We have overcome that,” Lacson said.

“In fact, we were already producing the volume we were producing and had almost gotten back to its old status. Unfortunately, we have ASF again. So we go back to the same protocols,” the governor added.

Lacson urged hog raisers to strictly observe biosecurity measures, particularly disinfecting their farms and exercising caution in repopulating their herds.

“Disinfect their areas and go slow in repopulation. It’s basically the same,” he said.

According to the Provincial Veterinary Office, ASF has already caused the deaths of 1,902 hogs across 12 local government units as of June 25.

Despite the losses, the affected animals account for only 3.27 percent of Negros Occidental’s total hog population.

Lacson earlier said the continued threat posed by ASF extends beyond agriculture and has significant economic consequences for farmers, traders and others dependent on the industry.

He stressed the need for stronger coordination among local governments, law enforcement agencies and concerned sectors to ensure effective implementation of measures.

Several local government units have already strengthened preventive measures to protect their livestock sectors from possible outbreaks./CCJ, WDJ