By Junex Doronio
RESPONDING TO THE CONCERN of the hog industry and agriculture groups, the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations decided to channel P1.5 billion for vaccine initiatives to combat the African Swine Fever (ASF).
On Monday, the hog industry and agriculture groups pressed for the need to vaccinate pigs to end ASF cases.
“That is the best solution: Have an effective vaccine [against ASF]. But right now, nothing has been tested on sows and breeders… they are the ones that produce pigs,” Congressman Nick Briones, chairman of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines or Pro-Pork, said in a press statement.
The groups praised the lawmakers’ plan to allocate P1.5 billion for the vaccination of hogs to eradicate the main problem in the swine industry.
“Hopefully, the next generation of the vaccines will be tested on fatteners and challenged, which means those vaccinated are exposed to infected hogs,” Briones further said.
The group also noted that before ASF hit the Philippines in 2019, the pig population of the country was estimated at around 13 million heads.
They lamented that because of the ASF, the population has decreased to around 10 million, with imported pork filling the gap. (AI/MNM)