The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has adopted new pork import regulations that allow for regionalisation in relation to African swine fever (ASF). The document was signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.
The updated guidelines, issued in a circular in late 2025, allow the recognition of ASF-free zones within exporting countries in line with the standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The effectiveness and relevance of the new rules will be reviewed after two years.
The secretary stressed that the government is implementing a national zoning and movement control plan to identify areas already free of the disease. According to him, science-based monitoring, regionalisation and compliance with WOAH standards are key to safe trade.
Bilateral recognition of zones begins once the chief veterinary officers of both countries sign an agreement and the DA issues a corresponding memorandum. Exporting countries are also required to submit annual ASF status reports, including data on surveillance, monitoring and control measures.
At the same time, the department emphasises that the new rules do not mean an automatic resumption of exports from ASF-affected countries such as Spain or Germany. Rather, they establish a mechanism that could eventually allow regionalisation once all procedures are completed.
In parallel, the government has set a minimum farmgate price for live pigs at 210 Philippine pesos per kilogram (about $3.55) to support local producers recovering from ASF-related losses. Authorities also plan to reintroduce a suggested maximum retail price for pork to protect consumers and balance profitability along the value chain.
An additional boost for the sector may come from a five-year, $1 billion investment plan by the Philippine branch of Thai company Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF). The company plans to develop agro-industrial complexes at nine locations, each including feed production and pork processing. This is expected to help restore the national pig herd to pre-ASF levels by 2028.
CPF also aims to increase its pig production capacity from 1.3 million to 7 million head by 2030, which could significantly strengthen domestic supply and stabilise the country’s pork market.
PigUA.info based on pigprogress.net