P15.4M+ worth of pork, poultry products blocked entry

More than P15.4 million worth of pork and poultry products were blocked entry into the province as part of the strict measures against the entry of the African Swine Fever (ASF) and of the Avian Influenza or Bird Flu.

The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) disclosed that it continues to enforce measures to protect the province against the ASF and the H1N1 avian flu.

Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Renante Decena said that during the implementation of the anti-ASF measures in 2020, they have either blocked or intercepted a total of P5 million worth of pork and pork products.

Some of the pork products were later ordered to be returned to their origin, while others were confiscated and later destroyed either by setting them on fire or burying the products so as to render them unusable.

During the first quarter of 2021, the PVO seized another P2.5 million worth of pork products, bringing the total to P7.5 million.

H1N1

Meanwhile, since the entry ban on poultry products was enforced, they have already intercepted P7.9 million worth of poultry products.

The province banned the entry of poultry products last March 1 after the first reported cases of Bird Flu surfaced in Central and Southern Luzon, and in Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture (DA) adopted stricter measures against bird flu, after outbreaks were confirmed in some parts of Luzon.

Based on a memorandum released by the agency, they have ordered to regulate the movement of ducks, quail, chicken, and other poultry products in affected areas, particularly those located within one kilometer of a quarantine area.

Farm owners must comply with the transport requirements in compliance with the prescribed surveillance period, diagnostic tests, and biosecurity protocol of the World Organization for Animal Health.* (DGB)