VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Animal Health Department has approved the slaughter of healthy pigs for consumption in localities hit by blue-ear pig disease, said Hoang Van Nam, director of the department.


Local residents buy pork at Dich Vong Market in Cau Giay District in Ha Noi. The price of pork has increased slightly following the outbreak of blue-ear pig disease. (Photo: VNS)
The move was aimed at curbing the increasing price of pork in localities where the disease had hit, Nam said.

The ban on transporting, trading and slaughtering pigs in affected localities has unintentionally caused a decrease in the consumption of pork.

Veterinarians from local animal health departments will supervise slaughterhouse activities.


To prevent the disease from spreading, the department has prohibited the transport of healthy pigs to infected areas.

Answering the concerns of local residents over whether the price of pork would increase in the run up to the Tet holidays (Lunar New Year), Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Cao Duc Phat said that the ministry would make every effort to stamp out the disease as soon as possible.


The ministry ordered localities to create favourable conditions for local farmers to ensure the supply of pork both before and after Tet.


Infected pigs had been found in 15 provinces, including the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta provinces of Ca Mau, Tra Vinh and Kien Giang in the past three weeks, the Animal Health Department reported.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News