DA bares ASF-positive areas

By Lilybeth Ison

September 20, 2019, 8:54 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday identified areas with confirmed cases of African Swine Fever (ASF).

These are Barangays San Isidro, San Jose, Macabud, Geronimo, San Rafael, and Mascap in Rodriguez, Rizal; San Mateo Slaughterhouse, Rizal; Barangay Cupang, Antipolo City; Barangay Pritil, Guiguinto, Bulacan; and Barangays Bagong Silangan and Payatas in Quezon City.

The DA said it will implement the 1-7-10 protocol in these areas, which means all pigs within the one-kilometer radius of infected farms will be culled in view of the reported presence of swine disease.

For swine farms within a 7-kilometer radius, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and concerned regional field offices will conduct surveillance procedures, test animals to determine the extent of the infection, and limit animal movement.

On the other hand, swine farms within a 10-kilometer radius will be required to submit a mandatory report on the disease.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar assured that the DA, its partners from other government agencies and the private sector are doing their best to effectively manage, control, and contain the threat of ASF – to protect the industry and to ensure the health of consumers.

“We continue to remind that local pork, provided NMIS (National Meat Inspection Service)-certified, is safe to eat,” he said. (PNA)

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