The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking for funds so it can subsidize the cost of African swine fever (ASF) vaccines in the country following appeals from local producers.
“On the government subsidy, we have discussed this with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and we could also ask the help of our legislators if there is a need to augment the budget of BAI. At present, if we need to roll that out now… we will need to find funds, if the subsidy for the livestock industry is needed immediately,” Rex Estoperez, DA spokesperson, said in an interview yesterday.
Estoperez said there are no estimates yet on the amount of subsidy that can be provided by the government nor the price of the ASF vaccines once these are commercially available.
BAI recommended to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the Avac brand of ASF vaccine that was manufactured in Vietnam.
Arlyn Vytiaco, BAI assistant director, said the recommendation was made after the product’s safety and efficacy was proven in clinical trials conducted in six farms across Luzon which resulted in increased levels of antibodies against ASF in all samples used in the trial.
The BAI said once approved by the FDA, it will import at least 600,000 doses from the vaccine manufacturer in Vietnam, with rollout guidelines to be released after securing approval.
Vytiaco added the vaccine will not be mandatory.
The DA had assured the price of the vaccine will be accessible even to small raisers.
