May 16, 2013

Belarus culls pigs in fear of African Swine Fever

Workers from the Belarus pig farm Vostochni reported that about 20,000 pigs were culled - nearly a quarter of the total population at the farm, over fears of African Swine Fever (ASF).

While authorities and heads of the pig farm continue to deny the occurrence of an ASF outbreak at the beginning of May, farm workers are convinced that the company is hiding information from the media.

"During the week we've destroyed pigs, while there was not a word in the media about the epidemic or whatever it is officially called. Only when half the village of Zemcuzna located nearby where many people work at the pig farm started to sound the alarm and contacted the media, was it made public," said an employee.

"Pigs died within a month. On April 27, traffic police completely sealed the complex within a radius of three kilometres. Any cars from outside were not allowed to pass through. The police, the military, and epidemiologists from Minsk arrived," said the employee.

At the same time, according to the heads of the farm the figure did not exceed 5,000. Also the veterinary services removed and slaughtered pigs within a radius of 10 kilometres due to the outbreak. Experts are suspicious regarding the situation.