The Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) has imposed stricter protocols to prevent the entry of live hogs, pork, and pork products from outside Bohol to protect the local hog-raising industry against African Swine Fever (ASF).
According to the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV), Bohol remains an ASF-free zone and aims to maintain its classification through intensifying border control.
The PGBh has deployed more personnel responsible for confiscating products, hogs, and semen samples contaminated by ASF and veterinary quarantine services in nine seaports and one airport.
The OPV also said that Bohol accepts hogs, pork products from areas that are also free from ASF, but requires proper documentation and certification from the source.
Aside from border control, the PGBh has also launched a grassroots educational campaign to all Bohol barangays to create more awareness of ASF and its devastating consequences to the local hog industry and food supply if it reaches the Province.
The campaign involves Local Government Units and Barangay Task Forces that will monitor and report any suspicious cases of ASF among backyard hog raisers.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. It has no cure or vaccine and can cause up to 100% mortality in infected animals.
Since its outbreak in July 2019, ASF has affected more than 3 million pigs nationwide and caused huge losses for the swine industry.
The PGBh urged all stakeholders to cooperate and follow the guidelines set by the authorities to prevent ASF from entering Bohol and ensure food security for its people.
PCR TEST FOR PIGS
As this develops, the provincial government has ordered that pigs from ASF-free areas need PCR test before entering Bohol.
Governor Aris Aumentado ordered this as part of strict measures to prevent African Swine Fever (ASF) from entering the province.
Pigs for breeding and fattening from three provinces in Central Visayas and areas in Western Visayas that are ASF-free need to undergo RT-PCR test (Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction) before they can enter Bohol.
Governor Aris Aumentado issued Executive Order No. 7 on February 22, 2023, in addition to Executive Order No. 45 series of 2022, which established policies and regulations regarding ASF that require showing negative RT PCR test and ELISA test result for pigs from Cebu, Siquijor and Negros Oriental before they can be brought to Bohol.
The two tests are taken, examined and the result submitted within 21 days before bringing the pigs to Bohol.
Accredited suppliers and shippers also need to submit to the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian a certified list of consignee names and exact destination once a week before crossing Bohol with fattening pigs.
Consignees or farms that receive pigs must have an isolation pen or enclosure to separate pigs from outside areas that are not affected by African Swine Fever.
Pigs from outside other provinces must be isolated for one week before they can be mixed with other pigs.
Local governments are also tasked with validating and monitoring whether consignees and shippers and accredited suppliers comply with the required documents.