8 meat inspection sites set up to curb ASF spread

Authorities established eight meat inspection sites in Quezon City, Valenzuela, Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite starting Wednesday, August 14, to prevent African Swine Fever (ASF) spread.

Inspectors will check documents for closed vans to ensure they originated from legitimate slaughterhouses; if no documents are presented, goods may be held for up to 24 hours before confiscation.

Metro Manila's lechon capital, La Loma, also has its own inspection site due to the increased delivery of live swine in the area.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa stated that meat inspectors will look for necessary documents and check for possible symptoms of ASF. Animals without shipping permits may be sent back to their origin, while those showing signs of illness can be condemned after testing.

Inoculation of pigs is expected to begin in Batangas next week following the arrival of 10,000 ASF vaccines purchased by the government through emergency procurement.