KUCHING: The Sarawak government has allocated RM5mil this year to assist pig farmers affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF).
Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom disclosed that the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) was in the process of identifying and verifying the commercial, semi-commercial and backyard pig farmers whose farms were affected and had also agreed to depopulate their farms to contain the spread of the disease.
He said the financial assistance was to help these farmers during the trying times as well as the loss of their main source of income.
“Currently, it is estimated that some 32 commercial and semi-commercial pig farms and some 600 backyard farms have been affected by the disease, with about 32,500 pigs culled.
“This exercise has somewhat managed to contain ASF from spreading to other commercial farms and later for affected pig farmers to restock their farms when it is safe to do so and when better security measures are in place.
“The ASF situation is expected to improve in the following years and the amount provided will be determined by the number of pigs culled. Effective culling with financial assistance from the state government will fast track ASF elimination in Sarawak thus enabling the pig industry to recover quickly from the disease outbreak,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Nov 9).
Dr Rundi reiterated that the ASF is not a zoonotic disease, so it is safe to consume pork and pork products sold in the retail shops as well as those that have been veterinary inspected.
“Prices of pork have gone up slightly due to the higher feeding cost, but it is relatively cheaper compared to prices in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.”
