The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Monday it lifted the temporary ban on imported processed pork products from South Korea, following a comprehensive risk assessment and scientific validation of the country’s safety protocols against African Swine Fever (ASF).
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Order No. 23 allowing the import of pork products that have undergone stringent heat treatment, specifically those processed to achieve an Fo value of 3 or higher in hermetically sealed containers, or those heated for at least 30 minutes at a minimum temperature of 70 degrees Celsius.
The original ban, implemented in 2019 under DA Memorandum Order No. 26, was part of the government’s efforts to protect the local swine industry from ASF outbreaks abroad.
The DA has since revised its position following the results of a recent import risk analysis (IRA) released on April 8, 2025.
The IRA concluded that sterilized pork products from South Korea intended for export meet the safety standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health and are considered a “safe commodity.”
The analysis cited South Korea’s strong veterinary infrastructure and ASF control measures as well as the secure packaging and shelf-stable nature of the products, as key factors supporting the policy change.
The DA noted that the policy shift is expected to increase the availability of processed pork products in the local market.
