Pigs with African swine fever are disposed (Source: kinhtedothi.vn)

African swine flu has been detected in 18 Vietnamese provinces and cities. Thousands of pigs totaling 1,000 tons have been destroyed. Localities have asked the government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to tighten the quarantine and transportation of pigs and pork products out of epidemic areas and ban the transportation of pigs from the north to the south.

Secretary of Thai Binh province’s Party Committee Nguyen Hong Dien said: “Chemicals should be delivered to localities, where the African swine fever is spreading. Unaffected areas should be paid to test samples to ensure safe production, slaughter, and sale. Thai Binh province has 1 million pigs, about 7% of the national herd. Pigs ready for sale that have not been tested due to lack of money will pose a great loss to farmers.”

Nguyen Van Suu, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Municipal Committee, said: “Hanoi borders 8 provinces. We propose halting the transportation of animals nationwide and to border areas. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should speed up the “Action month for environmental disinfection.”

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said there is no vaccine for the African swine fever. The virus can survive for a long time in the environment. Localities should enact strong measures to prevent the epidemic from spreading.

“We propose revising Government Decree 02 on supporting agricultural production affected by natural disasters and epidemics. The government agrees that financial support for farmers depends on each locality but should not be less than 80% of the market price. Strong localities can support 90 to 100%,” Mr. Cuong said.