Rules for post-ASF hog repopulation issued
MANILA -The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued supplemental guidelines to accelerate the repopulation of hogs in Northern Mindanao.
The agency issued a memorandum order to provide the amended rules on the implementation of a community-based swine population, repopulation and expansion through the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (Inspire) program.
Implemented by the DA’s National Livestock Program, the Inspire scheme aims to fast-track calibrated repopulation and production expansion through farm clustering and consolidation. It was introduced in 2021.
Under the additional rules, farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) or local government units (LGUs) may tap up to P10 million to construct new biosecure facilities which help curb the spread of animal diseases.
It has recommended two project packages for FCAs or LGUs planning to put up a new facility.
In option one, the recommended allocation is as follows: P6 million for biosecure facility, P2.55 million for piglets and P1.45 million for feeds/drugs and biologics, and other items such as disinfectants.
The funding coverage in option two has earmarked P3.14 million for biosecure facility, P1 million for feeds/biologics support, P800,000 for piglets and the remaining P60,000 for other items including test kits and disinfectants.
FCAs or LGUs which desire to undertake modernized swine raising compartments using the community swine clustering model may avail of the aforementioned funding package.
“The number of target clusters for LGU-recipients may exceed 20 percent of the total target number of clusters as indicated in the regional work and financial plan,” the DA said in the memo.
In the case of LGUs, it is required to have existing African swine fever-related ordinances or executive orders compliant with the DA’s protocols and should be released from the ASF quarantine, if applicable.
To receive this assistance from the DA, the LGU should be willing to provide the land, maintenance and labor as well as shoulder other costs incurred beyond the implementation of the projects as its counterpart.
LGUs may distribute the offspring to the qualified FCAs/barangay units to augment the supply of hogs and pork in the locality and should also ensure the sustainability of the project.
The DA’s regional field office in Northern Mindanao is tasked to assist eligible FCAs or LGUs in preparing, planning, implementing and supervising the project, specifically managing the funds for building the biosecure facility and purchasing the necessary equipment.
Active ASF cases are recorded in 16 provinces in nine regions, based on the Bureau of Animal Industry’s tally as of June 29.
Since the 2019 outbreak, the animal disease has affected a total of 17 regions, 67 provinces, 853 municipalities and 4,611 barangays.
—Jordeene B. Lagare
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