Following an outbreak of African swine Flu (ASF), the leading viral killer of pigs, in the states of Oyo and Ondo, farmers have to took to various outlets to bemoan their losses.
The Nation Newspaper claims that this is due to the health officials’ incapacity to manage the disease as a result of an increase in the unlawful slaughter of diseased animals.
The outbreak of ASF has impacted the sector, according to Mr. Femi Malomo, the managing director of No1 PigFan Nigeria Limited, and many states are reeling from the disease’s menace.
As part of containment measures, he demanded that strong regulations be put in place regarding the trade in pigs, piglets, and pork products.
Malomo, who also serves as the National Secretary of the Pig Farmers Association of Nigeria (PIFAN), stated that it was important to encourage farmers and abattoir owners to implement biosecurity measures.
He maintained that the outbreak of ASF may affect the industry, when the country is trying to strengthen pig production taking into account nutritional, food security and livelihood issues.
“One of the reasons we continue to have African swine fever is because the Ministry of Agriculture and the veterinary officers are not doing their jobs. They allow slaughter slabs to continue to kill sick animals across states and local governments. They should be inspecting vehicles that carry animals and demand for certificate of health. The current wave of ASF is moving away from Ogbomosho, down to Ibadan, Osun, Ogun and Lagos States. It has ravaged Ogbomosho and its environments. It is very much active in Oyo, Ologuneru, Ejigbo, and Ondo State. It is still rampant in Iwo.The economic impact is huge.
“In 2020, farmers culled thousands of pigs due to ASF infections that affected the region’s biggest market for the animal. At least 200,000 pigs were culled from farmers as a result of ASF infections in Lagos and Ogun states. The losses were computed at N10 billion”, he stated.
Malomo warned that the disease will unavoidably expand further while indicating that the ASF outbreak was taking a concerning turn after it recently crossed state borders.
Farmers lament losses as African Swine Flu strikes Oyo, Ondo others
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