Vietnam culls 4.7 million pigs as African swine fever spreads

HANOI: Vietnam has culled about 4.7 million pigs to contain an outbreak of African swine fever that has spread to all 63 provinces in the Southeast Asian country, an official said on Friday .

The disease first detected in February has been hard to contain because there is no vaccine, said Pham Van Dong, head of the Animal Health Department."We have culled around 4.7 million pigs and, as you can see, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed that the outbreak has now spread to all 63 provinces and cities," Dong told Reuters.

Pork accounts for three-quarters of total meat consumption in Vietnam, a country of 96 million people where most of its farm-raised pigs are consumed domestically.The pork industry is valued at 94 trillion dong a year, or nearly 10 per cent of the country's agricultural sector.Farm hygiene is the best way to protect the pig herd, deputy agriculture minister Phung Duc Tien told the Ho Chi Minh City Law newspaper.

"Applying biosecurity in farming will help meet domestic demand for pork through the end of this year and help keep consumer prices under control," Tien was quoted as saying. African swine fever was first detected in Asia last year in China, the world's largest pork producer. China's pig herd shrank by 32.2 per cent in July from the same month a year ago.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Taiwan fines traveller for bringing in Chinese mooncakes with pork amid swine fever fearsTAIPEI (BLOOMBERG) - If you are thinking of bringing mooncakes from China to Taiwan for the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival next week, it could cost you more than US$6,000 (S$8,300).. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

Monkey business: Vietnam macaque island draws tourists - and criticismNHA TRANG, VIETNAM (AFP) - Menacing macaques snatch bags of crisps, water bottles, cookies and crackers from uneasy tourists on Vietnam's Monkey Island, a popular attraction decried as cruel by activists calling for an end to animal tourism in Southeast Asia.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

Monkey business: Vietnam macaque island draws tourists - and criticismMenacing macaques snatch bags of crisps, water bottles, cookies and crackers from uneasy tourists on Vietnam's Monkey Island, a popular attraction ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

E-sports firm Team Flash expands to Vietnam, raises US$1.5m in seed fundingSINGAPORE e-sports organisation Team Flash is looking at expansion after securing US$1.5 million in funding in its first seed round – with additional plans for brand sponsorships and a dedicated merchandising arm. Read more at The Business Times.
Source: BusinessTimes - 🏆 15. / 51 Read more »

Vietnam Airlines secures first license for direct US flightsVietnam Airlines has become the first carrier in the country to secure a coveted license to fly direct to the United States, according to the ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Macy's sees savings of up to US$550 million from targeted promotions, better pricingMacy's Inc said on Thursday it aimed to save US$400 million to US$550 million annually in the next two to four years, as the department store ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »