Hog raisers get private sector help

The private sector has decided to come to the rescue of backyard hog raisers affected by the suspected entry of African swine fever (ASF) in Rizal as the threat of the epidemic has gotten closer to home.

The Inquirer was able to confirm from various stakeholders that commercial hog operators, industry groups and veterinary organizations have come together to raise millions of pesos to help small-scale hog raisers sustain their livelihood amid the depopulation of pigs in the area.

Following international animal health protocols, the government has ordered the culling of all hogs within a kilometer radius from the virus’ ground zero, including those not affected by the unidentified disease.

This is to ensure the containment of the sickness and decrease the vulnerability of other hog production areas in the country.

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura chair Rosendo So said in a phone interview that they, along with the Department of Agriculture (DA), were closely monitoring the entry of imported pork and pork products into the country, especially those that might have been smuggled.

National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. president Chester Warren Tan also said that some private entities had reached out to provide disinfectants and police residents who continued to use swill food or “kanin baboy” to feed their livestock.

Pig diseases are often caused by swill food from restaurants that source their raw materials overseas.

The country’s livestock industry is currently valued at P260 billion and is being primed by the DA for a series of programs aimed at increasing production and expanding markets both here and abroad.

Its ASF-free status has enabled it to strike deals with China and Singapore to fill in those countries’ respective shortfalls in pork following the adverse effects brought by the disease.