Philippines Aims to Eradicate African Swine Fever by Year’s End, Boosts Hog Industry

MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced on Tuesday a targeted end to the African swine fever (ASF) crisis within the year, a move poised to revitalize the struggling hog industry in the Philippines. This ambitious goal was shared during the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum, signaling a strong governmental focus on eradicating the disease that has severely impacted local swine farmers.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has committed a PHP350 million budget for procuring and distributing ASF vaccines, with a bidding process set to commence in August. The urgency of this initiative follows the recent approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a vaccine developed in Vietnam, the only one currently accredited for use against ASF. Laurel expressed optimism about a controlled vaccine rollout starting in September in designated ‘red and yellow zones’, areas most affected by ASF, to closely monitor the vaccine’s effectiveness.

The initial phase will involve government-supervised trials, assessing the vaccine’s efficacy before considering broader commercial use. Laurel indicated that if the trials, slated for a six-month duration, are successful without any significant issues, commercial mass vaccinations could begin nationwide by 2025.

Further bolstering biosecurity measures, Laurel revealed plans to inaugurate the first cold examination facility in agriculture (CEFA) in Angat, Bulacan by January 2025. This facility will conduct sanitary and phytosanitary inspections of imported agricultural products, including animals and plants, to prevent the entry of diseases such as ASF, avian flu, and Q fever. Additionally, four more CEFAs are expected to be operational by September 2025 in Manila, Subic, Davao Region, and General Santos City, enhancing the country’s capacity to safeguard its agricultural borders.