The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on the import of pigs and pork products from Spain and Taiwan after both regions reported fresh outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF), the agriculture ministry announced.
The import freeze was issued in two notices — Spain on Sunday and Taiwan on Monday — and applies to live pigs, pork-derived items, and even semen used for artificial insemination.
Agriculture Minister Francisco Tiu Laurel stressed the urgency of the move, saying the government must safeguard local farms, jobs, and investments from further ASF intrusion.
The ban on Spanish pork follows a November 28 report confirming new ASF cases among wild boars in Barcelona, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
With the freeze now in effect, all import clearances for Spain and Taiwan have been automatically revoked.
Only frozen pork from Spain produced on or before November 11 and shipped on or before December 4 will still be allowed entry.
While ASF poses no danger to humans, it spreads rapidly among pigs, prompting several countries to impose similar restrictions on Spanish pork.
