Pork import ban from Philippines remains: Yombo

THE ban on the import of pork and pork-based products from the Philippines still stands, according to the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (Naqia).
Naqia acting chief quarantine officer (animals) Andy Yombo told The National yesterday that Philippine authorities have confirmed the detection of African swine fever disease and had caused a high number of pig deaths in farms.
Yombo said Naqia was working on enhanced biosecurity measures to better manage its borders.
“The high number of returning Philippine overseas workers from that country is a definite risk and we will ensure incoming passenger luggage are thoroughly checked,” he said.
Yombo said the logging and fishing industry posed biggest risk in terms of monitoring the entry of banned items.
He said Naqia would need state funding to carry out adequate checks on those pathways.
Naqia had served notice to importers, retailers, airlines and transport companies that the importation or the carriage of pork and pork products from the Philippines into the country either through the normal Naqia permit system or through incoming passenger luggage was banned.
“This is a temporary measure taken while reports of a possible disease event in a hog farm in the Philippines is confirmed and authenticated by their authorities,” he said. “All current applications will be put on hold until the current investigations are completed and cleared.”