December 23, 2019

Drone signal jammer used in China commercial swine farm to protect herd against African swine fever

The Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group swine farming unit used drone signal jammer transmitters to protect its herd from criminal gangs but violated regional aviation authority laws, reported Reuters.

Criminal gangs have been profiting from the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak, which has decimated swine herds in China. This has resulted in increased demand for dwindling pork supplies, pushing pork prices to record levels.

The gangs use drones to drop ASF-infected items into farms, forcing farmers to sell their healthy swine at much cheaper prices.

Dabeinong verified that its Heilongjiang swine farm utilised drone jammer technology, which disrupted the GPS signal in the area and violated civil aviation laws. The company has surrendered all related jamming equipment to the authorities and will accept a penalty.

Dabeinong is raising 14,000 sows in Heilongjiang, divided between three farms and one breeding farm. The company will increase security but adds that the farms are operating safely.

This week, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said swine herds in the country have been cut by 40% compared to one year ago. China recorded its highest inflation rate because of increasing pork prices.

-      Reuters