February 15, 2022

Thailand to assist swine farmers affected by African swine fever

Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives said it will propose business recovery plans to assist small-scale swine farmers affected by African swine fever (ASF), Pattaya Mail reported.

Chalermchai Sri-on, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, assigned the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) to gather information about ASF outbreaks in the country.

The DLD is proposing the use of artificial insemination in swine production until the local swine industry stabilises and male breeder stocks recover.

The DLD is also planning to send "sentinel" piglets in areas where ASF have been detected to probe farm safety. The World Organization for Animal Health accepts the sentinel technique as a way to investigate of a contagion or condition is still prevalent in a given region.

The minister said Thailand does not need to import pork if prices remain at THB 180 (~US$5.57; THB 10 = US$0.31) per kg.

-      Pattaya Mail