DA intercepts imported pork meatballs from China

Imported meatballs from China were intercepted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Subic, Zambales.

According to a report by Cedric Castillo on GMA News TV's Quick Response Team, the frozen goods were initially declared as fish tofu but inspectors found the pork products when they opened the cargo.

The boxes of meatballs were transported to the country on May 29, 2019. The intercepted shipment was put under quarantine.

Importation of pork from the following countries was banned by the DA:

• China
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Poland
• Romania
• Russia
• Ukraine
• Vietnam
• Zambia
• South Africa
• Czech Republic
• Bulgaria
• Cambodia
• Mongolia
• Moldova
• Belgium

The DA ordered the inspection of all refrigerated vans from the countries affected by the African Swine Fever to ensure that no pork products from those areas will enter the country.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said that he will request additional funds from Malacañang for procurement of equipment that will be used for more stringent screening processes.

Hog raisers previously expressed fears that the hog industry might be wiped out should the outbreak reach the Philippines.

The African Swine Fever has not yet entered the Philippines and measures to prevent its entry were in place since August 2018, according to the DA.

The Department of Health also assured that local pork products are safe for consumption. —Dona Magsino/LDF, GMA News