The Department of Agriculture initiates a controlled trial of a Vietnam-developed African Swine Fever live vaccine in Lobo, Batangas, one of the municipalities affected by the animal disease.Swine-raising industry groups are calling on the Department of Agriculture to accelerate the vaccination process against African Swine Fever , a disease that has devastated the hog industry for several years.
“Hog raisers have already lost millions due to ASF,” said AGAP Partylist Rep. Nick Briones. “We need a faster process to protect our livelihoods.” While the NFHF and PPFP expressed optimism about the vaccine’s effectiveness, they emphasized the need for a more widespread and efficient vaccination rollout.
The groups also called for the deputization of vaccinators in local governments, in collaboration with agriculture cooperatives and private veterinarians. They also advocated for accredited laboratories to conduct blood testing on swine as a preventive measure against ASF.