Lifting of ban on US pork imports bucked

ROSALES, Pangasinan – The Northern Luzon Hog Raisers Association (NLHRA) is opposing the lifting of a ban on pork importation from the United States.

Engineer Rosendo O. So, vice president of NLHRA, said the national government must not allow the immediate entry of pork meat from the US due to the swine flu outbreak in that country.

He said precautionary measures must be adapted, and the ban on pork importation is one such measure that could ensure the safety of the Filipino people.

He said pork coming from the US should be examined by the World Health Organization to determine if it is free of the dreaded swine flu virus.

“Dapat idaan sa masusing pag-aaral upang matukoy kung ang mga karne ng baboy na galing sa US ay walang virus, at huwag natin ipag-walang bahala ang nasabing isyu,” So said.

He said the price of pork from the US might be lower than the price of local pork. “Kaya siguro mura ang pork galing sa US dahil maaaring walang bumibili ng nasabing karne doon gawa ng swine flu outbreak.” -- FSA