• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced yesterday that entry of canned meat products from African Swine Fever areas are allowed entry into Negros Occidental, but not frozen processed pork.
Lacson said it was proven that there is no danger from ASF virus in canned goods, including the Virginia Food Inc., even if it comes from Cebu.
Cebu banned for 30 days the entry of live pigs, boar semen, pork, and its related products from Negros Occidental, after the discovery of ASF cases in Carcar City. ASF cases were detected in pigs that supposedly mingled with pigs from Negros.
Negros Occidental and Bacolod City has also banned the entry of live pigs and pork related products from Cebu, where ASF cases had been confirmed.
Lacson said that there were fears that it may affect the food supply, as most of the canned goods and processed pork being imported into the province, comes from Cebu.
I hope it is not, the governor said, as he stressed the need to protect the P6 billion hog industry of the province. Lacson however admitted that it is more challenging, since Negros Occidental is in the middle of island provinces affected by ASF cases.
Lacson also said that he has yet to receive the reply of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia regarding his request to allow the passage of pork products from the province, for shipment to Leyte, through Cebu.*
