The central government has allowed pigs to be transported from states like Punjab and Haryana for consumption in Assam and other Northeast states, saying that pigs in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have African Swine Fever (ASF).
Joint secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Upamanyu Basu said that the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) has confirmed the presence of ASF in the pigs of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Accordingly these states have been directed to ensure bio-containment measures, boo-security maintenance, and active surveillance for the disease through advisories dated June 2019 as well as the National Action Plan for control, containment and eradication of ASF 2020, Basu said in a letter sent to the principal secretaries of Punjab, Haryana and all the NE states.
In the letter, Basu also mentioned that since the piggery associations of Punjab and Haryana seeking permission to transport pigs to the NE states for the purpose of consumption of pork, they were allowed to do so.
“Upon consideration of the matter, it has been decided that the movement of pigs from Haryana and Punjab to the northeastern states is allowed subject to strict compliance of the conditions enclosed along with this communication, to ensure food supply without compromising boo-security and bio-safety,” he said in the letter.
Assam minister for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Atul Bora said that he has written a letter to Union minister Giriraj Singh requesting him to withdraw the Centre’s directive. “I’ve pleaded to restrict the move which will adversely affect our farmers,” Bora said in a tweet.
