PNA file photo MALASIQUI, Pangasinan - The provincial government of Pangasinan is implementing a temporary ban on the entry of live swine and pork from the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac from August 18 to September 17 amid the threat of the African swine fever (ASF) virus. In Executive Order (EO) 0125 posted on Friday, Governor Ramon Guico III said the Department of Agriculture's (DA) updated zoning map and zoning status listed the three provinces as having active cases and under the red zone, or areas infected with ASF. "The DA Ilocos regional office recommended the crafting of executive orders and ordinances to regulate the movement of swine in the provinces," he said. Guico said the provincial veterinary officers have been directed to continue the order to inspect and man the quarantine checkpoints established to monitor the enforcement of the EO. "In addition, in order to ensure the safety of our constituents and our swine industry, all local chief ex
PNA file photo MALASIQUI, Pangasinan - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has distributed over 2,000 sentinel piglets to the backyard hog raisers whose pigs were culled due to the African swine fever (ASF) as part of the recovery program. In a phone interview on Monday, assistant provincial veterinarian Jovito Tabajeros said all the ASF-affected hog raisers in the 36 towns and cities in the province have received sentinel piglets. Tabajeros said the second batch of sentinel piglets will be given to the raisers in Laoac, Mangaldan, Asingan, and Natividad towns next week. "So far, after the ASF test on the sentinel animals, all tested negative for ASF. Hence, this is a good sign that we are on the way to repopulation," he said. Tabajeros said the sentinel animals have undergone a 40-day observation period under their assistance. "The sentinels will again be observed for about 90 to 120 days and then will be tested. If the tests turn negative, then the area will be declared
(File photo) LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - The Department of Agriculture (DA) will start delivering piglets to areas in Pangasinan that have been affected by the African swine fever (ASF) on the third week of this month as part of its hog repopulation program. In an interview during his visit to Pangasinan on Friday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said about PHP38.2 million has been allotted for the repopulation program in the province following the ASF outbreak. "The sentinels will be observed for about 90 to 120 days and then will be tested. If the tests turned negative, then the area will be declared free and they can start hog repopulation," Dar said. He added that the process of declaring an area as ASF-free has been reversed, as instead of the DA, the local government units (LGUs) would now confirm first if the area is no longer ASF-affected. "The LGUs will be the first to declare if the area is ASF-free and it will be validated by the DA's Bureau of Animal Industr
(File photo) LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - The Department of Agriculture (DA) will start delivering piglets to areas in Pangasinan that have been affected by the African swine fever (ASF) on the third week of this month as part of its hog repopulation program. In an interview during his visit to Pangasinan on Friday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said about PHP38.2 million has been allotted for the repopulation program in the province following the ASF outbreak. "The sentinels will be observed for about 90 to 120 days and then will be tested. If the tests turned negative, then the area will be declared free and they can start hog repopulation," Dar said. He added that the process of declaring an area as ASF-free has been reversed, as instead of the DA, the local government units (LGUs) would now confirm first if the area is no longer ASF-affected. "The LGUs will be the first to declare if the area is ASF-free and it will be validated by the DA's Bureau of Animal Industr