Press Release - Villar, Cynthia: Opening remarks during the public hearing on the proliferation of the unauthorized sale of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the market while the same is still

1.The continuing spread of African swine fever (ASF) is a matter of concern for the pig industry on a global scale, as well as national scale in the Philippines. Except for the National Capital Region, no region is left unaffected by the ASF. Since 2019 when it was first discovered in a pig farm in Rizal, the lack of vaccine or effective treatment has made the control of the disease very challenging. The use of non-compliant and poor-quality vaccines will not confer any protection against ASF and may add to the risks of spreading other acute or chronic disease.

2. In late July 2023, Vietnam approved for domestic use the world's first commercial vaccine against ASF.

Soon after, in August 2, 2023, Reuters reported that, Vietnam government will export two million (2M) vaccine doses against African swine fever to the Philippines in October. The vaccine to be shipped to the Philippines is produced for commercial use by AVAC Vietnam JSC, AVAC ASF LIVE - is co-developed by Vietnamese companies and researchers from the United States.

3.The Vietnamese government also said that the company has already shipped 300,000 doses to the Philippines since its approval. (Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/vietnam-export-2-mln-swine-fever-vaccine-doses-philippines-by-october-2023-08-02/) is the philippines part of the vietnam field trial with the entry to our country of the alleged 300,000 doses? Who gave the authority? Where did these products go? Who is in charge? Why so many doses at once? For field trials what is the protocol? How many hogs for phase 1? For phase 2? For phase 3?

4. In June 2, 2023, BAI Assistant Director Arlyn Vytiaco said they have recommended the AVAC doses - which have been proven "effective" - following the completion of safety and efficacy trials in at least six areas in Luzon. Vytiaco noted that 100% of the hogs vaccinated during the trials produced antibodies, and showed "no ill or side effects."

No FDA Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) yet, during this time, BAI was still requesting for FDA for the CPR.

Note: Before a company's products are allowed entry into the Philippine market, each of these products must undergo an