June 6, 2011

Lithuania to continue shipments of pigs to Russia

Lithuania's State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) will propose to Russia to permit imports of pigs from areas of Lithuania that are free from classical swine fever today (Jun 6).

Lithuania would ban exports of pigs from the district of Kaunas and would ask Russia to consider a possibility to allow imports of pigs from other Lithuania's regions, Jonas Milius, Lithuania's Chief Veterinary, said on Friday (Jun 3).

"As regards to other districts, of course, we will ask Russia to accept pigs again," Milius said adding that Lithuania would not prevent exports of pigs, except from the district of Jonava and certain areas of the district of Kedainiai where the affected pig farms of Berzu Kompleksas were located.

"However, it is not clear what the response of Russia's officials could be," Milius said.

About 23,000 pigs out of estimated population of about one million were infected with classical swine fever in Lithuania, Milius said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has also banned imports of pigs and pork from Lithuania.