The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has reassured that China's recent ban on pork imports from the Philippines will not significantly affect the country's overall trade performance. The ban, imposed due to an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in certain Philippine regions, is expected to be temporary and limited in scope.
BAI Director Dr. Ronnie Domingo emphasized that the Philippines has already implemented strict biosecurity measures and that the affected areas are localized. He added that the government is working closely with Chinese authorities to address concerns and restore market access.
The ban covers pork products from provinces where ASF cases have been confirmed. However, the BAI noted that the majority of Philippine pork exports come from ASF-free zones, which remain unaffected. As such, the overall impact on trade is anticipated to be minimal.
"We are confident that this will not cause a significant downturn in our trade figures," Domingo stated. "Our priority is to ensure the safety of our livestock and maintain the trust of our international partners."
The Philippines has been grappling with ASF outbreaks since 2019, which have led to the culling of thousands of pigs and billions of pesos in losses. Despite these challenges, the country continues to export pork to several markets, including Japan and Singapore.