Earlier today, some Filipino meat processors warned that the temporary ban imposed by Philippine Quarantine authorities on pork coming from Germany could result in increased prices for hotdog and bacon.

The ban was imposed after it was discovered that a shipment of pork supposedly coming from Germany was found to contain boxes of pork from Poland, a country which has cases of the African Swine Fever.

In response to their concern the Agriculture Secretary is issuing this statement:

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I am dismayed that our meat processors show more concern for the prices of hotdog and bacon than the possible devastation by the ASF of the P260-B hog industry which provides livelihood to thousands of poor Filipino farmers.

The entry of the dreaded ASF into the country could lead to the collapse of our livestock industry and cause unquantifiable damage to our economy.

When the German exporter, ProFood, co-mingled German pork with pork from Poland which is affected by ASF, and shipped this to the Philippines, the case brought to open other possible violations.

We have to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that their system is safe.

If and when the investigation will show that the violation was confined to that particular export company, then we will take the proper measure to lift the ban on all German pork shipment.

I am sure our German trading partners will understand because I know they would impose the same measures if the situation was in reverse.

We cannot close our eyes to this serious violation of Philippine Quarantine protocols simply because we are concerned about a possible spike in prices of hotdogs and bacon.

We urge our businessmen to momentarily make adjustments and source their pork from local farmers or their imports from countries which are free of ASF.

#ProtectOurFarmers!

(Article taken from the Official Facebook Page of DA Secretary Manny Piñol)