The hog raisers are in favor of placing the country under a state of emergency due to the still uncontrolled spread of African swine fever (ASF).
Nicanor Briones of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines and Chester Tan of the National Federation of Hog Farmers said that if a state of emergency is declared, there will be funds to stop the spread of ASF.
“Pag nangyari yan, kusang magdedeklara ang mga tatamaan ng ASF, at hindi rin matatakot yung ating mga magbababoy, hindi rin kusang aalis, madaming babalik at mag-eexpand. Mabilis kaming magdadagdag at mabilis kaming babalik, buong Pilipinas sabaysabay yan. Ito yung paraan para mabilis na magkaroon ng sapat na supply ng baboy,” said Briones.
According to Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes, Agriculture Secretary William Dar has instructed the Bureau of Animal Industry to study the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food.
“As soon as possible, dapat magawa nila yun, pati yung mga datos na kailangan. Yung incidence, di ba? Nasaan na, saan na yung green zones, specific. Kasi saan yung occurrences lahat yun pag-aaralan nila,” said Reyes.
Briones and Tan also slammed the DA’s plan to lower the tariff on imported pork because it could lead to a food crisis.
Hog raisers favor state of emergency due to ASF
“Dahil dalawa ang tatama sa amin, yang ASF na hindi mapigil-pigil at kapag ka bumaha ng imported na baboy, yan ay siguradong mabebenta sa mga palengke,” said Briones.
“Baka naman kami pa ay pwedeng makiusap sa ating Department of Agriculture na i-withdraw nila ang kanilang rekomendasyon,” Tan pleaded.
Briones insisted that if this continues, many pig farmers will give up, so there may be a shortage of supply.
“Kami pag nagkaganun talagang su-surrender na at siguradong napakalaki ang problema sa suplay ng baboy next year,” said Briones.
Briones and Tan added that the price ceiling on some pork and chicken should be removed because the markets do not follow it.
“Kaya po nagkakasupply (sa Metro Manila) dahil ‘yung price cap ay hindi naman po sinusunod at hindi po pwedeng sundin dahil titigil po ang retailer, ang biyahero. Ang magbababoy po sa iba magbebenta,” said Briones.
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