The Philippines has ordered a temporary ban on pork and pig-related imports from Taiwan after confirmation of an African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the measure is crucial to protect the country’s hog industry from the highly contagious disease.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr directed the immediate moratorium, covering live pigs and all pork-derived commodities, including semen for artificial insemination.
The order became effective took effect on December 4, 2025 and will remain in force unless formally revoked.
Safeguarding industry and consumers
“We have to be vigilant in preventing further ASF infections to protect jobs and investments in the swine industry and ensure food security and consumers’ health,” Mr Tiu Laurel said.
He emphasized the potential economic fallout should ASF breach local farms again, recalling the heavy losses suffered during previous outbreaks.
Under the DA order:
- ✅ All previously approved Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances for pigs and pork-related products from Taiwan are revoked.
- ✅ Applications for new import clearances for affected items are suspended until further notice.
- ✅ Veterinary quarantine officers at major ports must stop and confiscate restricted shipments.
These steps reflect lessons from earlier ASF waves, which devastated hog raisers and drove pork prices higher nationwide.
Local ASF situation
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) reported that as of November 28, 2025, there are 31 active cases across nine municipalities in six province.
- ✅ Pangasinan (City of Alaminos) – 4 barangays
- ✅ Nueva Vizcaya (Bagabag, Solano) – 2 barangays
- ✅ Aurora (Casiguran, Dilasag) – 3 barangays
- ✅ Marinduque (Torrijos) – 1 barangay
- ✅ Romblon (Romblon) – 5 barangays
- ✅ Southern Leyte (Silago) – 2 barangays
- ✅ Sultan Kudarat (Lebak) – 14 barangays
Since the virus first hit the country in 2019, 6432 barangays nationwide have been affected, but recovery efforts are continuing.
Zone recovery status as of November 28 showed:
- ✅ Luzon: 36% infected, 57% buffer, 7% surveillance
- ✅ Visayas: 47% infected, 47% buffer, 6% surveillance
- ✅ Mindanao: 48% infected, 34% buffer, 18% surveillance
BAI highlighted progress, with 356 areas in Luzon, 115 in Visayas, and 67 in Mindanao shifting from red to pink zones. Another 125 areas nationwide moved from pink to yellow zones, signaling gradual improvement.
Industry support expected
While ASF remains under control in parts of the Philippines, officials stress that blocking new strains is vital to stabilizing the sector and restoring investor confidence.
Industry groups are expected to back the ban, viewing it as a necessary safeguard for producers and consumers.
Authorities are tightening biosecurity and monitoring developments, determined to keep the country’s pork supply secure.