DA chief warns swine raisers

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2019 08:57:37 +0000

AGRICULTURE Secretary William Dar with Senate President Tito Sotto during the Duck Day celebration at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City. (FB photo)

The Department of Agriculture has reminded backyard swine raisers that improper disposal of dead pigs is punishable by law, reiterating government’s call to report all suspected African Swine Fever cases to the local veterinary office.

Following the dozens of dead pigs found floating on the Marikina River and a creek in Quezon City last week, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar renewed his appeal yesterday to hog raisers to report sick and dead pigs to their municipal or city veterinarians. Dar said the local veterinary services office will then coordinate with the DA Bureau of Animal Industry to determine their cause of sickness or death.

“It was utterly irresponsible on the part of the backyard raisers as they did not only violate current laws, but their misdoing also spread the disease pathogens much faster,” Dar said. “They violated RA 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act, as they deprived their dead pigs of adequate care, maltreating them in the process,” the Agriculture chief pointed out.

According to Dar, violators are punishable by imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than two years or a fine of not less than P1,000 nor more than P5,000. “Also, the suspected backyard raisers violated RA 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act, as they brazenly and irresponsibly dumped dead pigs in public places like waterways,” Dar said.

Violators of RA 9003 are punished with a fine of not less than P300 but not more than P1,000 or render community service for not less than one day to not more than 15 days.

Dar said that sickly animals deserve proper care
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