October 23, 2019

Myanmar swine association calls for suspension of pork imports due to ASF risk

A Myanmar swine production body has called authorities to halt imports of live pigs and pork products in light of African swine fever outbreaks in neighbouring countries, Myanmar Times reported on October 22.

The Myanmar Pig Breeders and Producers Association also asked the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation to stop illegal trading of such products. According to the report, legal and illegal delivery of pigs and pork products happen at Myanmar's borders.

"We are asking the authorities to temporarily suspend transport and trading of pigs, pork products and frozen meat for a year. The outbreak of ASF is has not been widespread in Myanmar but is a problem in neigbouring countries and we are worried that there could be an outbreak of the disease here," said U Maung Maung Lay, vice chair of the association.

"There is no vaccine or resistance to the disease so we need to wait for the outbreak to run its course."

Lay added that the country could permit "some imports by air" if these shipments are supported by documentations that declare they are disease-free.

"If the situation becomes anything like in neighboring countries, we should be very worried," said the secretary of Myanmar Pig Breeders and Producers Association, U Aung Soe Min Kyaw.

ASF has been confirmed in the Myanmarese state of Shan, but has not reach other parts of the country.

An animal census conducted early this year revealed that there are 5.8 million pigs in the country.

- Myanmar Times