November 23, 2006

Nigerian pig farmers seek compensation for swine fever epidemic

Pig farmers lost more than EUR 50 million during the recent African Swine Fever (ASF) epidemic in the Nigerian pig industry, President of the Pig Farmers Association of Lagos State (PFALS), Lady Oyelayo Akintola said.

The African Swine Fever was estimated to have killed one million pigs and many farmers have pulled out of the industry, she added.

She also encouraged the farming industry to keep records so it would be easier to estimate the extent of losses in future outbreaks.

Lagos State commissioner of agriculture and co-operatives, Chief Kaoli Olusanya, said promised that the ministry would continue to seek compensation from the government on behalf of the farmers.