The meat supply in the country has significantly decreased by 95 percent as of October, down from the 121 percent recorded in the third quarter of 2022, an official from the Bureau of Animal Industry said on Tuesday, 29 November.
During the Laging Handa Press Briefing, BAI's supervising science research specialist Lani Plata Cerna said the agency noted the decline in the supply of pork in the country ahead of the holidays.
However, despite the decline in pork supply, Cerna said the Philippines is anticipated to have enough supply of beef over the holiday season.
"Our supply is enough for the holidays as we are importing meat from Denmark and the United Kingdom," Cerna said in the vernacular.
For his part, National African Swine Fever Prevention and Control Program's deputy national program coordinator Dr. Samuel Castro said the government is closely monitoring several piggeries engaged in repopulation initiatives.
"To prevent being impacted by the disease again, pig farms that have already experienced ASF must ensure that their hogs live in a safe environment with a high level of biosecurity," Castro said in vernacular.
Cerna also assured that BAI is continuously monitoring the situation to prevent the spread of the disease. "Thus, our surveillance and business investigations are ongoing," she added.
