The head of Filipino hog raisers downplayed the threats of the current global outbreak of the dreaded African Swine Flu (ASF) and instead look at it as an opportunity.
Backyard Raisers Association chairperson Felimon Santander said the ASF outbreak is an opportunity for Filipino hog raisers to export pork products to ASF-affected countries.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, which is responsible for serious economic and production losses in countries such as Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine and China.
“The government should explore the opportunity of Mindanao as an exporter of meat to other countries,” Santander said.
Aside from being ASF-free, Mindanao is “free from foot and mouth disease and avian influenza (bird flu)” because of the island’s good weather, he said.
“The ASF did not have a huge effect on our part, although we were seriously concerned about it,” Santander said.
He said that government agencies, such as the Bureau of Customs, Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Animal Industry-National Veterinary Service, National Meat Inspection Service and City Veterinarian’s Office, have given assurance to the public that no pork and other meats coming from ASF-banned countries will enter the premises of the country, especially in Mindanao.
The hog raisers head said that Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol is eyeing to export pork and hogs to Asian countries affected by the livestock flu.
“Huge hog farms in Mindanao could potentially indulge in exports especially to Singapore and other neighboring countries,” Santander said.
According to the Livestock and Poultry Situation Report of the Philippine Statistics Authority 11 (PSA11), Davao region has a total 904,900 hogs, as of January 1, 2018.
