January 28, 2021

 

Thailand's Agriculture Ministry to seek US$89 million to combat ASF

 

 

Thailand's Agriculture Ministry will request THB 2.9 billion (~US$89 million; THB 10 = US$0.30) to fight African swine fever (ASF) and will discuss with China, Vietnam, and other countries on measures to combat the spread of the ASF in the country, The Nation Thailand reported.

 

ASF has been detected in the provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Bangkok, Buri Ram, Suphan Buri, Phang-nga, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chumphon, Mahasakham, Mae Hong Son, Si Sa Ket, Khon Kaen, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Nong Bua Lampu between January 10 to January 25, 2022.

 

Chalermchai said Thailand's Livestock Development Department will discuss with its counterparts in China, Vietnam, and other countries on the best measures to tackle ASF.

 

He said the department will draft a plan to contain the spread of ASF, then request THB 2.93 billion (~US$89 million) from the urgent central fund to implement the proposed measures, which includes compensation pay for small-scale swine farmers.

 

Livestock officials will also travel the country to investigate if ASF has spread to other provinces.

 

The Livestock Department has only declared ASF spread zones within a 5km radius of areas where the virus was detected.

 

202 swine have died of ASF in the 13 provinces, with 425 swine culled to prevent the spread of the virus.

 

There are 107,157 swine farmers in Thailand currently, 43% lower than the 189,152 farmers in 2021.

 

From the requested funds, THB 1.48 billion (~US$44 million) will be allocated towards containment measures, while the remaining funds will be used as compensation and for the rehabilitation of small-scale swine farmers.

 

The department has proposed the Agriculture Ministry to order the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to allocate a THB 45 billion (~US$1.3 billion) budget as a soft loan for affected swine farmers.

 

-      The Nation Thailand