Ifugao hog bizmen told: Move vs ASF; 400 pigs culled

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- More than 400 pigs were already culled in Ifugao to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever.

This, as provincial veterinarian James Gopeng, in a radio interview, urged hog traders, shippers, producers and barangay officials in the province to cooperate and abide with checkpoint protocols and preventive measures against ASF to contain its spread in the province.

Provincial officials had ordered temporary lockdown on live pigs and pork products being enforced in the entire province.

He urged meat vendors not to buy and sell sick animals especially in places where there are no slaughterhouses where animals to be butchered are not inspected.   

Only the towns of Lamut, Kiangan, Lagawe and Alfonso Lista have their own slaughterhouses.   

For swine raisers, Gopeng advised them to report immediately to their Municipal Agriculture Office or Provincial Veterinary Office any sick, dead or abnormal pigs in their areas. 

He said MAO and PVO personnel are going around the province conducting information drive about the ASF.

He urged assistance of barangay officials in monitoring and reporting animal movement especially pigs in their areas for them to know and take proper action.

Gopeng  said ASF  cases have  been  confirmed positive in the municipality of Banaue on February 18, 2020, and  in Lagawe and Kiangan   last Feb. 21.  -- (JDP/ DBC-PIA CAR, Ifugao)