Exec Order strengthens swine fever security measures here
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- Bohol has set up strict biosecurity measures to protect the province against the African Swine Fever (ASF) with hog feeds from Luzon and Mindanao and other regions affected by ASF are banned entry to the province.
The move is a precaution against the entry of the virus that has caused the ASF outbreak in Luzon and Mindanao, threatening and challenging the swine industry stakeholders.
While the ASF crisis in Luzon is providing a huge market window for Bohol’s hog growers who are now reeling from the low market prices here, the Mindanao outbreak also threatens the supply of raw feeds and raw materials to Bohol.
There is a need to strengthen and enhance policies in the local prevention program, said Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz during the recent online Kapihan sa PIA.
According to Executive Order No. 56 series of 2020 which Gov. Arthur Yap signed on Nov. 26, 2020, even processed porcine animal and those identified under Department of Agriculture Memorandum Circular No. 6, them being potential carriers of the virus causing the disease, are banned in Bohol.
Shippers of any plant-based raw material for feeds need to secure a certification from the Provincial Agriculturist of an ASF-free province that the raw materials were sourced from their area.
According to the provincial veterinarian, although there have been no documented case yet of plant-based poultry and fishery feeds and plant-based raw materials for feeds becoming carriers of the virus, Bohol authorities are imposing measures to ensure that ASF will not affect the province and potentially hit the billion-peso hog industry here.
For products that could be coming from regions affected by the hog disease, they may be allowed entry provided that these follow the required quarantine protocols.
The protocols here mandate that the carriers, which should be a container van, would have to undergo disinfection procedures at the port of departure and port of entry in Bohol.
Upon arrival in Bohol, the shipper then is required to present a disinfection certificate issued by the Veterinary, Plant or Fish Quarantine Officer of the port of origin.
Upon arrival in Bohol, the container van will be transferred from the port to a designated warehouse or storage facility where commercial poultry and fishery feeds undergo 11 days of quarantine.
On the other hand, plant-based raw materials for feeds shall undergo the 20-day quarantine period.
But even then when the quarantine period has lapsed, the container van will only be opened in the presence of the Provincial ASF Task Force Inspection Team.
The Executive Order also lays down the guidelines in the transport of live hogs through sea vessels directly plying the Bohol to Luzon and vice versa route, and the transport of live hogs from Bohol to Luzon by land trip.
Also in the same order are the guidelines in the conduct of animal inspection, disinfection, issuance of veterinary health certificate and shipping permits, guidelines in the entry of feeds and raw materials to be used in the production of feeds, as well as the guidelines in the entry of empty livestock cargo vehicles to Bohol. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
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