China's import restriction on pigs, wild boar, and related swine products from the Philippines has " is no immediate impact" on the current trade performance in the country, the Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) noted that it acknowledged the recent decision by Chinese authorities, as reported in international media, regarding import restrictions on pigs, wild boar, and related swine products from the Philippines.

"While the Philippines does not currently export live pigs, wild boar or related swine products with that market—meaning there is no immediate impact on our current trade performance—we view this development through a lens of mutual understanding," it stated.

"Both the Philippines and China share a profound commitment to biosecurity and other control measures, and are actively striving to eliminate devastating swine diseases within our respective borders to protect the global agricultural supply chain," it added.

The Bureau explained that "there are two distinct swine diseases referenced in international animal health contexts which include the Classical Swine Fever (CSF) and African Swine Fever (ASF).

"Classical Swine Fever (CSF), or hog cholera, is an endemic and long-managed disease in the Philippines. It is controlled through sustained vaccination programs, surveillance, and established farm biosecurity protocols across both backyard and commercial production systems," it stated.

"African Swine Fever (ASF), first detected in the country in 2019, is a disease that has significantly affected local swine production. The government continues to implement strict movement controls, biosecurity measures, culling of infected and exposed animals, and intensified surveillance in affected and high-risk areas. These interventions form part of the ongoing recovery and stabilization of the local swine industry," it added.

As the Bureau noted that the fight against ASF and CSF is a shared global responsibility. It stressed that the "DA-BAI remains fully aligned with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) standards, ensuring that our local stabilization efforts move us closer to eradication."

"As these health interventions progress and our domestic swine industry achieves long-term recovery, DA-BAI is committed to keeping all stakeholders, including our international trading partners, transparently updated on our development. We look forward to a future where successful disease management paves the way for safe, robust, and mutually beneficial livestock trade," the Bureau added. Robina Asido/PHS