DA urged to implement quarantine first to prevent spread of ASF

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) anew to implement the “quarantine first policy” to prevent the spread of the African swine fever (ASF).

SINAG sent a letter saying DA’s implementation of a stringent two-stage inspection process upon entry of imported agricultural commodities is “a betrayal of the very mandate of the DA.”

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The group addressed the letter to DA Secretary William Dar and was signed by SINAG chairperson Rosendo So.

“We would like to be enlightened on the claim of a stringent two-stage inspection process, in lieu of the legally mandated First Border Inspection (quarantine first policy),” the letter read.

“There is no substitute for the full implementation of the ‘quarantine first policy’ provision of (Republic Act) 10611 (Food Safety Act of 2013. To insist otherwise is a betrayal of the very mandate of the Department of Agriculture,” it added.

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So explained that RA 10611 (for quarantine inspection) is not in conflict with the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863) which is for tariff collection.

So also asked Dar to “categorically state” that all agricultural imports from January 2020 to November 2020 went through quarantine tests that were conducted by duly accredited laboratories in the Philippines with corresponding results.

ASF ‘worse’ than COVID

Last week, a group of hog raisers in Pampanga is appealing for additional government assistance while there is no vaccine yet for  (ASF), which is said to be more difficult to cure than COVID-19.

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It is more difficult to fight ASF than COVID-19, said Wency Tangcongco, president of the Pampanga Swine Producers Association.

Many small pig farmers in the province are already in debt because even piglets are dying due to ASF, said Toto Gonzales, Association Manager of the Pampanga Swine Producers Association.

At least 100,000 pigs from the Visayas and Mindanao are delivered to Luzon to maintain adequate supply nationwide. At the same time, there is no vaccine for ASF, according to the Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista.

Last month, Agriculture Secretary William Dar assured the public that the supply of pork in the country is enough for the Christmas holidays despite the continued threat of the African swine fever (ASF).