DA lifts ban on processed pork products from South Korea

Pork products from South Korea can now enter the local market. INQUIRER.net stock images

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the ban on importing processed pork products from South Korea, six years after the government made the move due to rising African swine fever (ASF) cases abroad.

In a statement on Monday, the DA noted that sterilized pork items from South Korea, which are subjected to “high-level heat treatment,” can enter the local market.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued the order after the Import Risk Analysis (IRA) determined that products from the country meet safety and health standards.

READ: ASF cases slightly up by end of December 2024 – BAI

“The analysis concluded that sterilized pork products from South Korea intended for export meet World Organization for Animal Health standards and are deemed a ‘safe commodity,” the DA said.

Based on the IRA, South Korea showed a “robust veterinary oversight and ASF control systems.”

“With this policy shift, more pork products are anticipated to be available to consumers in the Philippines. It may also indicate a potential thaw in agri-trade relations between the two countries,” the agency added.

The government implemented the ban in 2019 to protect the local sector from ASF outbreaks in foreign countries.

Last month, the DA reactivated the Inter-Agency Livestock Data Analytics Group, meant to equip the government with accurate and up-to-date information for managing price and supply volatility in the meat and poultry industries.

This came as the country continues its battle against animal diseases, particularly ASF and bird flu.

DA earlier said it would launch an aggressive P1-billion swine repopulation program to bring back the hog population to pre-ASF levels.

Recent data from the Bureau of Animal Industry showed that seven provinces and five regions still logged active ASF cases.