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Despite facing a pandemic caused by the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the Cebu Provincial Government is not easing its measures against African swine fever (ASF), as it is fatal to pigs and could strike a blow. to the pig industry in the province.
Governor Gwendolyn García, on Monday May 4, 2020, announced that the Provincial Government is extending its ban on the entry of live pigs, pork products and by-products from Mindanao for an indefinite period or until Cebu can “conquer the disease by coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis. “
In the city of Cebu, Mayor Edgardo Labella has allowed pigs to enter from places not affected by the PPA. However, councilman Raymond Alvin García, majority leader, approved a resolution asking the mayor to reconsider his decision; This was approved by the City Council. The local legislator and the governor are relatives.
Labella’s Order
In another interview, Labella told Superbalita Cebu that she lifted the ban in an executive order dated April 28, and is titled “An Order Exempting Dark Green Zones or Free Zones from Prohibiting the Entry of Live Pigs and pork products and by-products in Cebu “.
Labella said Agriculture Secretary William Dar called him to thank him for lifting the ban. He based his order on the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Working Group on ASF and the mandate of the Department of Agriculture.
Ramil Lim, president of the Southern Cotabato Swine Producers Association, welcomed Labella’s decision, saying the group has been “supplying live pigs and pig carcasses to Cebu City and Cebu Province for more than 30 years. “
Before Labella implemented the pork ban last year, pig producers outside Cebu had allegedly supplied eight refrigerated trucks filled with pork each week. (See the business story on page 10 about Bohol hog raisers’ concerns about the Labella order.)
Pig breeders meeting
On Capitol Hill, the initial 90-day ban that Governor Garcia had imposed on February 13 was due to expire on May 11. Governor Garcia met with local pig farmers on Monday afternoon, May 4, to discuss measures that will strengthen the border. controls against ASF.
The governor said there are more than “101 percent” of pork produced by local pig farmers. She attributed the increase in stocks to the drop in demand for pork in the past few months since the Covid-19 pandemic erupted in the country.
Governor García also clarified that the movement of cargo continues unhindered amid the improved community quarantine. This is also in compliance with the protocol of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
She made the statement after concerns from supermarkets and supermarkets about the availability of pork products.
The Governor expressed his gratitude to the Presidential Assistant for Visayas Michael Dino for supporting the Province’s position to protect the island of Cebu against the PPA by prohibiting the entry or meat of infected areas such as Luzon and Mindanao, and even Visayas del Este , which reportedly continue to receive products from Luzon.
He also thanked the Cebu City Council for approving a resolution requesting the mayor Edgardo Labella to adopt the province’s order that prohibits the entry of pork products and by-products from Luzon, Mindanao and Visayas del Este to prevent the spread and entry of PPA in Cebu. (RTF and PAC)
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