Meat processors to BAI: Name names

The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. complained that members are suspected as the source of the ASF-positive hotdog, longganisa and tocino.

The Department of Agriculture reportedly confirmed the ASF-positive pork products first revealed on social media.

The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) on Thursday appealed to the Bureau Of Animal Industry (BAI) to name the brands of hotdog, longganisa and tocino that were reportedly tested positive for African swine fever (ASF).

“It’s very unfair if no brand is being mentioned because everyone will be hit. In truth, we can’t respond because we don’t have any information,” said PAMPI spokesman Rex Agarrado in a radio interview.

“Let’s respect each other, give us information, we’re the ones who are affected,” added Agarrado.

The appeal was made after the group heard from reporters and hog raisers — not authorities — about the contaminated hotdog, longganisa and tocino.

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) chairman Rosendo So also said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed to the group social media posts about the ASF-positive pork products.

An outbreak of ASF in parts of Rizal and Bulacan provinces has prompted authorities to cull around 7,000 hogs.

ASF causes hemorrhagic fever in pigs that almost always ends in death, but the disease cannot infect humans and other animals

Pork accounts for 60 percent of meat consumption in the Philippines, the world’s 8th biggest pork producer by volume, with its swine industry estimated at P260 billion, according to DA.

Authorities suspect the swine fever cases stemmed from backyard hog raisers who feed pigs swill or leftover food scraps from hotels and restaurants.

The virus could also have entered the country through frozen meat tainted with the virus that are brought in by returning overseas Filipino workers.