Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced the lifting of a six-year import ban on heat-treated processed pork products from South Korea. This decision comes after the initial ban was put in place due to concerns over the spread of African swine fever (ASF). The change is outlined in DA Memorandum Order No. 23, issued by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and will allow the entry of Korean pork products that have undergone “high-level” heat treatment.

According to Philippines News Agency, the memorandum specifies that the products must have undergone a process known as Fo, which equates to sterilization for equivalent minutes at 121.1 degrees Celsius with a value of 3, or heating at a minimum of 70 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes. The DA stated that this policy shift is expected to increase the availability of pork products for consumers in the Philippines and may signal a warming of agricultural trade relations between the Philippines and South Korea.

The decision is supported by findings from an Import Risk Analysis (IRA) conducted on April 8, which deemed sterilized pork products from South Korea intended for export as a “safe commodity” meeting World Organisation for Animal Health standards. The IRA emphasized South Korea’s strong veterinary oversight and ASF control systems, as well as the shelf-stability and secure packaging of the imported products. These factors have led to the approval for importation of these products in line with existing Philippine regulations.

The original import restriction was imposed in 2019 through DA Memorandum Order No. 26, aimed at preventing the spread of ASF within the country. Recent data as of April 25 indicates a decline in active ASF cases, with affected barangays decreasing from 54 in 28 cities and municipalities on April 11 to 47 in 23 cities and municipalities.