Authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport confiscated boxes of assorted food products and meat from a passenger who arrived from China on Tuesday.
The 30 kilos of assorted food items—including peking ducks, frozen chicken feet and dumplings—was confiscated as part of the government’s measure to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever.
Fresh and frozen meat, cooked and uncooked processed products and by-products from affected countries like China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, North Korea, Latvia, Romania, Hungary, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Moldova, South Africa, and Zambia are strictly prohibited from entering the country.
The latest seizure was made after brand new X-ray scanning machines were put up the airport to prevent the entry of meat contaminated with ASF.
President Rodrigo Duterte approved last year the utilization of the Quick Reaction Fund of the Department of Agriculture for the emergency procurement and installation of the meat and agri X-ray machines in the Customs area in all airports so that all hand-carried and checked in baggages of incoming passengers, especially those coming from ASF-affected countries, could be checked.
Philippine Quarantine Laws prohibit the entry of meat, fisheries and horticulture products, including planting materials, if these are not covered by Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Permits issued by both the BAI and the Bureau of Plant Industry.
Customs NAIA under the leadership of District Collector Carmelita Talusan said her team will continuously support the DA to prevent the possible outbreak in the country which may put the swine industry at risk.
She said that to date, some 5,000 kilos of meat and meat products were seized and turned over to Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for proper disposal.
Airport officials reiterated that only importers with proper clearances and permits from government agencies tasked to regulate certain commodities such as the DA, Bureau of Animal Industry, and Food and Drug Administration, among others can import meat products into the country.
The DA is implementing stringent quarantine measures comparable to those of advanced agricultural countries like Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the US.
Animal Industry officials earlier urged overseas Filipino workers returning for the holiday season not to bring Maling pork luncheon meat or any canned goods, saying these items will be confiscated.
Canned goods and chocolates are among the top favorite ‘pasalubong’ of returning OFWs to their families and friends.
ASF is not a threat to human health but is a highly contagious disease for domestic and wild pigs. There is no vaccine against ASF and it is extremely devastating for the farming economy.
