ASF VAX. Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (right) discusses the government’s food security programs during the pre-State of the Nation program over PTV on Monday (July 15, 2024). Laurel said the DA is eyeing to roll out the government’s vaccination against African swine fever by September. (Screengrab)
MANILA – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday said the agency is eyeing to roll out the government’s vaccination against African swine fever (ASF) in September.
During the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) briefing over the People’s Television Network, Laurel said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave DA the go-signal last week to purchase the vaccines from Vietnam.
“Good news na iyong (that the) FDA has finally given the good signal,” he said.
“Sana by September ay ma-roll out na iyon at ma-vaccinate na iyong growers ng ating mga backyard… (Hopefully, by September, we will roll it out and vaccinate the [hogs] of our backyard growers). But for government use pa lang ito (only for now),” he added.
He said the DA needs to monitor its effect and efficacy for six months before proceeding with the massive use of the vaccines.
“After that, hopefully, kung pumasa na lahat at okay lahat, for commercial use na (if everything is okay, it will be for commercial use already),” Laurel said.
Laurel said the DA’s INSPIRE (Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion) program is ongoing to help hog raisers recover from ASF.
The INSPIRE program includes calibrated repopulation; recovery of breeder-base through the establishment of swine nucleus, multiplier, and production farms; insurance program; and credit program, among others. (PNA)
