La Union declared FMD-free by group

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union– The International Animal Health Organization, an internationally recognized organization responsible for the protection of animal health, declared La Union province free from the feared foot and mouth disease (FMD).

The certification declaring the province as FMD free was received by the provincial veterinary office during a simple ceremony held at the Bureau of Animal Industry in Quezon City recently.
Local officials claimed the declaration of the province as FMD free will be instrumental in promoting the province as a source of safe meat for consumption by people in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera regions.

The local hog industry is considered to be a multimillion peso industry, and La Union is one of the major sources of livestock in Northern Luzon.

Considering the increasing demand for hogs in the Northern Luzon area, veterinarians and hog raisers believe they could already provide the required supply since there will be a sustained production of safe meat for the consumers.

Despite the declaration of the province as FMD free, the provincial government will still conduct a periodic inspection of the hog raising facilities as well as the state of the hogs.

Experts advised hog raisers to continue to observe proper sanitation in their respective areas to ensure that their hogs will not contract FMD.