BANGKOK, Sept 25 (TNA) — The government’s National Pig Board responds to the Prime Minister’s order and takes serious measures to protect the country from African swine fever (ASF) that is spreading in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on said the committee for pig and pig product policy or National Pig Board that he chaired discussed measures to prevent ASF and they included strict action to block the import and smuggling of pork products from the neighboring countries.
Serious concerns rested with Myanmar. Although ASF occurred there after Cambodia and Laos, ethnic groups in Myanmar simply dropped dead pigs in the bordering Ruak river where Thai farmers sourced water for their pigs.
Therefore, the Livestock Development Department was imposing strict measures especially in Chiang Rai province that bordered Myanmar, Mr Chalermchai said.
Thousands of pigs in Chiang Rai were culled and buried. Adjacent Chiang Mai province could be later declared a surveillance zone. Besides, the transport of pigs was banned nationwide unless it was permitted in advance, Mr Chalermchai said.
His deputy Prapat Pothasuthon said all vehicles crossing the borders into the country were sprayed with sterilizing solution and the measure had taken effect for months. (TNA)
