City’s anti-swine fever task force pushes pork importation ban

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The Anti-African Swine Fever Task Force will recommend to Mayor Evelio Leonardia a ban on the importation of pork into the city.

Task force head and City Agriculturist Goldwyn Nifras said the recommendation is for Leonardia to forward a proposed ordinance that will ban importation of hogs and pork products into the city, similar to the ordinance passed by the provincial board of Negros Occidental.

Nifras said the proposed ordinance aims to protect the local swine industry. A meeting was also scheduled this week to discuss the recommendation.

Amid numerous Christmas parties by various groups and organizations in the city, Nifras assured consumers that the city remains free of swine fever.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer urged the Bacolod City government to support the provincial ordinance banning the entry of pork and pork products.

Ferrer also noted, while the provincial government respects Bacolod City as a “highly-urbanized city,” it is the responsibility of the provincial government to protect local hog producers.

“If the problem is supply, I urge my fellow Negrenses to patronize our local pork products,” he added.