Sablayan tightens ban on live pig entry amid ASF threat

CALAPAN CITY— The local government and African swine fever (ASF) task force of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, have intensified the crackdown on the unauthorized entry of live pigs amid efforts to protect local hog raisers from the disease.

Authorities intercepted a group of pig transporters in Barangay Burgos on Saturday, Oct. 3, for allegedly violating Executive Order No. 63-B, which regulates the movement of live pigs into Sablayan and Occidental Mindoro, the municipal government said.

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The local government said the regulation serves as a biosecurity measure to protect Sablayan’s hog population, estimated at more than 6,006 heads, from ASF and other animal diseases.

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“The indiscriminate entry of pigs without proper authorization directly puts at risk the livelihood of our local hog raisers and the food security of our community,” the municipal government said.

It warned pig transporters and operators that unauthorized entry could result in penalties and legal action.

The municipality urged residents, hog raisers and transporters to cooperate with authorities in enforcing biosecurity measures and preventing the spread of ASF.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs but does not infect humans. Outbreaks can cause losses to hog raisers and disrupt pork supplies./ja