China ban on PH pigs has no immediate impact on agri trade — DA

The Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BAI) on Wednesday said China’s recent ban on the importation of pigs, wild boar, and related swine products from the Philippines due to an African swine fever (ASF) threat has no immediate impact on the country’s overall agricultural trade.

In a statement, DA-BAI said it acknowledged the decision of Chinese authorities to impose the trade restriction, as reported by international media.

On Wednesday, Reuters reported that China’s General Administration of Customs issued a statement banning the entry of Philippine pigs, wild boars, and related products.

DA-BAI said the Philippines does not currently export live pigs, wild boar, or related swine products to China.

“Meaning there is no immediate impact on our current trade performance,” the agency said, adding that it views the development “through a lens of mutual understanding.”

Nonetheless, the bureau said both the Philippines and China share a commitment to biosecurity and disease control measures, and are working to eliminate devastating swine diseases within their respective borders to protect the global agricultural supply chain.

“The fight against ASF and CSF (Classical Swine Fever) is a shared global responsibility,” it said.

DA-BAI also said the government continues to implement strict movement controls, biosecurity measures, culling of infected and exposed animals, and intensified surveillance in affected and high-risk areas since ASF was first detected in the country in 2019.

The agency said it is fully aligned with the standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), ensuring that local containment and stabilization efforts move the country closer to eradication.

“As these health interventions progress and our domestic swine industry achieves long-term recovery, DA-BAI is committed to keeping all stakeholders, including our international trading partners, transparently updated on developments,” it said.

“We look forward to a future where successful disease management paves the way for safe, robust, and mutually beneficial livestock trade,” it added.—MCG, GMA News