DA chief calls for expanded coverage of ASF vaccine testing

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has directed the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to broaden its controlled testing of the African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine to include more regions in Luzon and red zones in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The BAI began its first round of vaccinations last week in Lobo, Batangas, which has been identified as the epicenter of the most significant ASF outbreak since the monsoon season commenced.

“We are expanding the scope of our controlled testing to encompass La Union, Quezon, Mindoro, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cebu,” Secretary Tiu Laurel announced. “This will involve the initial 150,000 doses of ASF vaccines that we have imported from Vietnam.”

The vaccines will be distributed free of charge to hog farmers to aid their battle against the disease. Secretary Tiu Laurel emphasized that commercial pig farms in heavily infected areas will also receive the ASF vaccine to protect their herds. “Our objective is to maintain a stable supply of pork in the market and stabilize prices,” he stated.

Since the ASF outbreak began in 2019, resulting in the culling of over 300,000 pigs, the Philippine hog industry has faced significant challenges. The high mortality rate has forced many small-scale pig farms to shut down due to heavy financial losses.

In response to the crisis, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has increased indemnification for pigs affected by ASF. Compensation for breeders has been raised to PHP 12,000, up from the previous maximum of PHP 5,000.

To combat ASF more effectively, the government has allocated PHP 300 million for the procurement of around 600,000 doses of the ASF vaccine from Vietnam. Additionally, PHP 50 million has been set aside for related inoculation costs.

Laurel’s push for expanded vaccine testing aims to bolster efforts in controlling ASF and mitigating its impact on the Philippine pork industry.