The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered the conduct of research on the possible use of Ivermectin, ASF Buster, Cloud Feedand other agents for the control and prevention of African swine fever on hogs
DA Special Order No. 310 Series of 2021signed by DA Secretary William Dar on April 30
ordered a research team on ASF to collaborate with international research institutions to conduct experiments to support claims on the use of participating agents.
The research team is composed of officials and experts from the National Livestock Program, Bureau of Animal Industry, Philippine Carabao Center, National Dairy Authority, Pampanga State Agricultural University, Central Luzon State University and local government units, among others.
The DA last month started local vaccine trials for ASF with 10 participating commercial swine farms using agents developed by American animal health company Zoetis Inc.
Meanwhile, the Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) has urged the Senate to impose the 15 percent on pork imports until end-2025.
Jess Cham, president of MITA in a letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto III dated May 3, 2021 said five years of low tariff will: ensure the availability of affordable pork; give ample time to local producers to work on recovery; provide legitimate importers time to become more competitive against unscrupulous importers; and allow for less incentives for under-declaration and misdeclaration.
“The hog sector admits given ideal conditions and interventions, recovery will take two to three years, even five to seven years. Realistically, without a vaccine, it will take much longer,” Cham said in the letter.
“We find reasonable the compromise rate of 15 percent for the remaining nine months; however the 15 percent rate should be incorporated into the upcoming tariff schedule and remain in effect until end-2025. We hope the compromise may be reached and finalized soonest in order to dispel uncertainty and provide predictability,” Cham added.
Executive Order (EO) 128 sets the tariff on pork under minimum access volume (MAV) at 5 percent tariff and outside MAV at 15 percent in the first three months of the EO’s effectivity.
