LAGAWE, Ifugao – Provincial Veterinarian James Gopeng has called on all hog traders, shippers, producers, and barangay officials to cooperate and abide with the checkpoints and preventive measures against African swine fever (ASF) to prevent its spread in the province.
Gopeng also called on meat vendors not to buy and sell sick animals especially in places where there are no slaughterhouses and where the animals to be butchered are not inspected. In Ifugao, only Lamut, Kiangan, Lagawe, and Alfonso Lista have their own slaughterhouses.
He also advised swine raisers to report immediately to the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) or the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) any sick or dead animals or if they see abnormal symptoms in pigs in their areas.
He said MAO and PVO personnel are going around the province to conducting information drive about the ASF.
He also asked the assistance of barangay officials in monitoring and reporting animal movement especially pigs in their areas for them to know and take proper action.
Gopeng said positive ASF cases were recorded in Banaue on Feb. 18 and in Lagawe and Kiangan on Feb. 21.
More than 400 pigs were already culled to prevent the spread of ASF. – Dan B. Codamon
April 30, 2024
