• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Compliance with biosecurity, documentary and permit requirements will be key to any possible negotiation with Cebu over its extended ban on hogs, pork and pork products from Negros Island.
This was emphasized on Tuesday, Aug. 25 by Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo, regional director of the Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR).
Barrogo said the Cebu government has a legal basis to impose the restriction amid the recurrence of African swine fever (ASF) in Negros Island, making the implementation and coordination between concerned agencies and local governments crucial.
“It depends on the decision of the local government unit (LGU),” Barrogo said.
Cebu has extended its original 45-day ban to 90 days under Executive Order No. 44, covering live hogs, pork and pork products from Negros Island and other ASF-affected areas.
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said the continued occurrence and threat of ASF in Negros Island and other affected areas require the continuation of precautionary measures to prevent the introduction and spread of the disease in Cebu.
Barrogo said Negros must first comply with the documentary permit and biosecurity requirements imposed by Cebu before the DA-NIR can seek negotiations with the Cebu provincial government.
“For as long as there is a compliance with biosecurity measures and requirements for hogs and pork, I think they will allow us,” Barrogo said.
He emphasized that the Provincial Veterinary Office of Negros Occidental must fully comply with the requirements as part of the efforts to regain market access.
Barrogo said the DA-NIR is awaiting the Bureau of Animal Industry’s report on the current ASF status of Negros Island, including the classification of affected LGUs.
He added that there is currently no ASF declaration in Panay, particularly in Iloilo, where Negros producers are seeking market access.
However, Panay authorities also require compliance with permits, documentary requirements and laboratory test results before allowing the entry of hogs and pork products. | GPB
