Bohol bans hogs from ASF-hit Cebu areas

Local

THE province of Bohol has implemented a 60-day suspension of entry of live hogs and other regulated commodities from African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected areas in Cebu.

The suspension covers the town of Ginatilan and Cebu City as well as other areas in Cebu that have been placed under ASF-related movement restriction by the Provincial Veterinary Office of Cebu, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI), and other veterinary authorities.

The Executive Order issued by Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado also applies to any shipments coming from, passing through, being stored, loaded, unloaded, or mixed in any covered area mentioned, including those epidemiologically linked to these areas.

“A shipment with an unverifiable source, assembly point, or route shall not be issued a Certificate of Acceptance and shall be denied entry into Bohol pending satisfactory verification,” read the order issued on Sept. 29.

Shipments from areas in Cebu province that are not covered in the order are allowed to enter Bohol upon verification of source and route, and upon full compliance with established ordinance in the province, national veterinary and shipping requirements, and Bohol Certificate of Acceptance process.

The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian will enforce the order in coordination with national agencies, Cebu veterinary authorities, ports, shipping lines, traders, LGUs, and receiving establishments.

In Ginatilan, Mayor Vincent Singco confirmed two upland barangays in the town tested positive for ASF.

Three upland barangays in Cebu City also recorded confirmed cases of ASF.(MyTVCebu)