THE Bureau of Animal Industry livestock inspectors on Thursday seized 60 hogs at a checkpoint in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.
This is a border control measure set up by the Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the QC Government Office through the City Veterinary Department and the Philippine National Police (PNP), to arrest the spread of the African Swine Fever.
BAI said documents presented at the Tandang Sora checkpoint by the transporter, allegedly from Sariaya, Quezon, for slaughter in Caloocan City were found to be fraudulent.
Documents presented at the checkpoint include a Certificate of Free Status-African Swine Fever clearance, fake Local Government Unit Local Shipping Permits, and counterfeit veterinary health certificates. The traders also failed to obtain a local shipping permit from BAI.
“This seizure, which we hope will be the first and last, should be a clear warning to unscrupulous traders that we mean business. We cannot compromise public health, the viability of the local livestock industry, and the country’s food safety and security,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.
The seized hogs are being tested to determine if they are infected with ASF. If infected, the hogs will be condemned and taken to a central burial site.
In response to the threat of animal diseases, particularly the outbreak of ASF in Batangas, the DA set up several checkpoints throughout Quezon City and Valenzuela to curb the spread of diseases and safeguard the livestock and poultry industry.
Editor’s Note: This article has been sourced from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry Facebook Page.
