The recent African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in parts of Batangas is not expected to cause a pork supply shortage or lead to a price increase in the country, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel. Despite the outbreak, the Department of Agriculture (DA) assures that pork prices will remain stable.
Secretary Laurel explained that even if there is a slight pork supply shortage due to the outbreak, it can be easily managed through importation. He stated, “Importation continues without any restrictions. Market forces will dictate the situation, and if a slight shortage is observed, importers will simply bring in more pork. We do not control the quantity of pork imports; the law does not allow the DA to regulate this.” This statement highlights the fact that the government has no authority to limit pork importation, thus preventing any significant impact on prices or supply.
The government is also taking proactive measures to address the ASF outbreak by acquiring 10,000 doses of ASF vaccines, which are expected to be available next week. These vaccines will be distributed for free, particularly in areas most affected by the virus, referred to as “red zones.” The vaccination program is a critical step in controlling the spread of ASF and avoiding pork supply shortages.
The Department of Agriculture estimates that around 600,000 doses will be needed for nationwide inoculation, with the rollout expected in the last quarter of the year. This large-scale vaccination effort is aimed at preventing a pork supply shortage and ensuring the virus does not spread further.
Currently, ASF has affected farms in eight towns in Batangas, prompting the establishment of checkpoints to control the movement of infected hogs. The DA has recommended that these towns declare a state of calamity to expedite indemnification processes. The government has increased compensation for affected hogs to encourage farmers to surrender their pigs for culling, offering between P4,000 and P12,000 per hog, depending on the size.
Despite the localized spread of ASF, Laurel sees no need to declare a nationwide state of calamity. He emphasized that the situation remains under control, with many farms implementing biosecurity measures to prevent the virus from spreading further. This careful management helps to avoid any disruptions in the pork supply, maintaining stability in the market and preventing a pork supply shortage.
