Gov. Joy Bernos asked for the cooperation of the hog and swine raisers, meat vendors, livestock coordinators, and Municipal Agriculture Officers in Abra in keeping the province safe from African Swine Fever (AFS) during their meeting at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall on October 24, 2019.

Bernos appealed to them to follow the biosecurity measures of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and immediately report to their agriculture officers any incident of swine mortalities.

BAI-CAR Veterinary Quarantine Officer Jordan Bayudang said livestock raisers should keep their pigs healthy and clean to prevent any swine disease. He also shared biosecurity measures during the meeting such as:

– Foot bathing and installing foot mats in their farms to ensure the safety of their pigs

– Regular cleaning and disinfection of the farm and all materials used twice a week

– Implement quarantine measures or separate new pigs in the farm

– Limit visitors and personnel going to the farm

– Buy feeds from reliable and registered sources

– Avoid swill feeding or feeding the pigs with leftover foods especially those taken from eateries and restaurants

– Prevent direct or indirect contact with wild boars

Aurelio Macabeo, a livestock raiser from Bucay who has 120 swine and piglets, said he doesn’t have any swine mortalities. He further stated that a livestock coordinator regularly visits his farm giving vaccinations and vitamins to keep his livestock healthy.

Bucay Municipal Agriculture Officer Rolando Paligutan said they are strictly implementing quarantine procedures in swine farm monitoring, meat inspections in slaughterhouses until transportation to the market.

Paligutan confirmed there are no swine mortalities making Bucay ASF-free. Bucay has the biggest population of swine in Abra with 9,000 heads.