September 1, 2010

Japanese pig farmers plan FMD prevention project

Pig farmers in Japan are working on a plan to prevent future outbreaks of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD).

The farmers joined forces in the so called "New Pork Project" that aims for rebuilding the sector and taking further measures to prevent animal disease outbreaks. The project has been started now that Japan has been officially declared free of FMD.

Due to the massive culling, the pig population has decreased considerably in Japan. Furthermore, the image of pig sector has taken a terrible knock, which resulted that 16 large transportation companies did not transport animals from the former FMD area Miyazaki.

The farmers hope that the New Pork Project will help in getting the pig numbers and business partners back.