Authorities intercepted about 25 tons of smuggled meat products that tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF) virus at the Manila Harbor Center in Tondo, Manila, Wednesday afternoon.
A clinical laboratory report released by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Animal Industry-Veterinary Laboratory Division showed that some 25 tons of pork celery dumplings, which were found in a 40-foot container van, tested positive for ASF virus.
The shipment came from Guangzhou, China and landed in Kawit, Cavite before entering Manila.
Some 998 cartons of chicken pot wrapped meat, 449 cartons of chicken with black pepper, and 199 cartons of popcorn chicken were also disovered by the Special Enforcement Squad of the Veterinary Inspection Board.
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso ordered the closure of Ecosafe Agro-Products Manufacturing, owned by a certain Fernando C. Cortez for misrepresentation in the documents they filed to secure a permit.
Investigation showed that Ecosafe Agro-Products Manufacturing was listed as a service contractor and does not have a business permit for meat importation and cold storage.
Dr. Nick Santos of the Manila City Veterinary Inspection Board said they became suspicious of the warehouse after they saw that the Bureau of Customs permitted it to render meat, despite the lack of rendering facilities. “Nagtataka kami baket nakapasa pa siya sa Customs bilang rendering plant, eh wala naman siyang rendering facilities,” he told reporters.
The local chief executive sent the “hot meat” to Valenzuela City to be condemned. (Minka Tiangco)
