April 2, 2020

China monitors African swine fever prevention measures

China's agriculture ministry said it will review current measures to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the country as it looks to push its swine production to hit its full year target, reported Reuters.

The ministry told local governments that it will require more time to recover the country's swine production even after developments have been made in the country's measures to stop the spread of ASF.

The ministry added that transportation of breeding sows and piglets has increased the risk of ASF resurging in the country.

Local governments have also been informed to investigate livestock being transported and put a stop to issues such as ASF-infected swine being sold.

In addition, the local governments were told to quickly complete projects under construction and recover swine stocks in small-to-medium farms to boost swine producton.

China has reported several new ASF cases involving livestock that has been transported between provinces.

In a separate statement, China's agriculture ministry said from April 1, 2020 it has begun a 60-day investigation into illegal swine transports.