• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental hog raisers may see farmgate prices improve if the province gains access to additional markets, particularly Cebu, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Wednesday, Oct. 28.
He noted that the provincial government could not compel traders to follow the price floor approved by the Provincial Board, stressing that the measure was intended as guidance in the hope that buyers would comply.
“We cannot compel traders to follow the hog prices we set. It was really a guidance, hoping that traders will comply,” Lacson said.
The governor said that expanding market access could help increase farmgate prices by giving local hog raisers more opportunities to sell their livestock.
The issue comes amid reports that Cebu is allowing live hogs from Negros Oriental to enter the province under stricter conditions, following concerns over the continued threat of African swine fever (ASF).
Under Executive Order No. 55 issued on Oct. 26, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said live hogs may enter Cebu only if they are transported directly to accredited slaughterhouses for lechon preparation.
The animals must be slaughtered immediately and cannot be kept for breeding or resale.
Shipments must comply with veterinary and quarantine requirements, including valid shipping permits, veterinary health certificates and negative ASF RT-PCR test results.
The policy could provide a potential market opportunity for Negros hog raisers, although the order does not automatically mean that Negros Occidental hogs are allowed entry into Cebu.
Cebu had earlier imposed restrictions on live hogs, pork and pork products from Negros Island and other ASF-affected areas to protect its hog industry estimated to be worth P20 billion. | GPB
