Govt tests pigs’ blood to end virus doubts

The Department of Livestock Development has sent samples of pigs’ blood from both farms and slaughterhouses to be tested for African swine fever (ASF) in a bid to verify whether the country’s meat industry is suffering from an outbreak of the deadly virus.

Speaking at a closed press conference yesterday, Sorawit Thanito, chief of the Department of Livestock Department, said department officials have collected 305 samples from pigs at 10 farms and five slaughterhouses for testing by the National Institute of Animal Health.

“The results should be released to the public within two days, as soon as we receive them,” Mr Sorawit said.

He further added that the department is ready to declare an outbreak zone, with all necessary control measures being prepared ahead of confirmation of an outbreak. The World Organisation for Animal Health will also be informed.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives last week announced measures to help pig farmers deal with huge losses despite reports that ASF has been prevalent since last year.

They include price reductions on animal feed and soft loans to help farmers get back on their feet.

The Ministry of Commerce also suspended imports of live pigs until April 5, in an attempt to bolster domestic production, which some experts believe has lost 20% of its pigs.

Citing allegations that an outbreak has been hushed up, serial petitioner Srisuwan Janya also yesterday filed a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission against Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit, Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Sri-on, and Livestock Department directorgeneral Sorawit.