ASF vaccine black market denied
By J.Lo
“We don’t sell in market…in fact, this is not available in small-scale markets… claim it was cause of outbreak is really attempt to sabotage impending issuance of certificate of product registration of government on vaccine,” KPP Powers Commodities Inc. legal counsel and spokesman Reynaldo Robles said importer of African swine fever vaccine countered claim of farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura chairman Rosendo So that sale of ASF vaccine in black market was cause of spread of virus in the country.
In interview with media, Robles said ASF outbreak in the country started in 2020, adding company was able to secure special permit from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct field trials in the Philippines.
So has blamed spread of ASF on illegal sale of 300,000 vials of ASF vaccine.
“This is impossible as outbreak started way back in 2020,” Robles stressed.
For his part, KPP head Juancho Robles said vaccine, manufactured in Vietnam, has undergone rigid farm trials in 550 farms involving more than 600,000 doses in various regions in Vietnam under scrutiny of their Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, US Department of Agriculture and World Health Organization for Animals.
“In fact, Vietnam government has authorized nationwide use of ASF vaccine in their country since July 2023,” Robles, brother of legal counsel, said.
He said FDA also issued special import permit for 300,000 doses for large-scale commercial trials at qualified large farms only.
“Proponents of vaccine confirmed there have been no untoward incidents reported regarding trials…based on vaccine protocols, distribution of vaccine is strictly monitored and reports and confirmation of participation are required from farms signed up for trials for monitoring and tracking purposes,” he added.
According to Robles, all vaccines are accounted for by KPP as an exclusive distributor of vaccine in the Philippines.
“It has also come to attention of KPP that some unscrupulous groups have been smuggling fake ASF vaccines and claiming these vaccines are same ones from Vietnam. It is unfortunate that many farmers are being deceived by these groups, resulting in unmitigated pig deaths,” Robles noted.
He added local agricultural and regulatory authorities are apparently trying to find way to speed up approval process for vaccine so that pig farmers can avail themselves of safe and effective vaccine to save country’s swine industry.
ISKUP! 