An organization representing food producers in the Philippines are asking government officials to strengthen the nation’s monitoring of African swine fever (ASF) and other animal diseases.
The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. believes that improving current biosecurity measures covering several diseases that affect food animals is critical for the growth of the local livestock, poultry and dairy industries. Only 15% of the total raw material requirements for local meat production are supplied by Philippines-based companies because of issues of production cost and consistency of meat quality, according to a report in the Manila Standard.
Danilo Fausto, president of the industry organization, also noted that better biosecurity at larger farms would possibly squeeze backyard production, leading to higher costs to meet demand for pork products. His warning arrived just weeks after several nations reported new SAF outbreaks, prompting the Canadian government to launch new ASF prevention programs within the last month.
