By Brian Campued
The government-controlled vaccination trial against African swine fever (ASF) will be expanded to other areas designated as “red zones” in Visayas and Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
In a statement Tuesday, Laurel instructed the Bureau of Animal Industry to allot an initial 150,000 doses of ASF vaccines to La Union, Quezon, Mindoro, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cebu.
The DA chief said this initiative aims to protect hog farms to “ensure a steady supply of pork in the market and stabilize prices.”
The agency launched the vaccination program among healthy pigs in Lobo, Batangas last August 30.
Around 10,000 doses of ASF vaccines were allocated for Batangas.
The DA has previously increased indemnification for diseased pigs surrendered for culling to the maximum of P12,000 per head. (with report from Cleizl Pardilla/PTV News)
– iro
