Philippines suspends pork imports from Spain due to African swine fever outbreak

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on December 8 that it has suspended the importation of pigs and pork products from Spain due to the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in this European country.

Photo courtesy of thepigsite.com.

The import freeze, which covers live pigs, pork meat, pork skin, and even semen for artificial insemination, will not affect prices or supply, said Secretary of Agriculture Francisco Tiu Laurel.

The ban follows a November 28 report by Spain’s veterinary authorities to the World Organisation for Animal Health, confirming ASF cases among wild pigs in Sabadel, Valles Occidental, Barcelona.

Only frozen pork products produced on or before November 11 and loaded, in transit, or accepted at port by December 4, will be allowed entry into the Philippines. Shipments produced after November 11 will be returned to Spain.