Complete culling of affected pigs before Durga Puja: CM to Department

In view of the prevailing 'African Swine Fever' which afflicted the State, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
Complete culling of affected pigs before Durga Puja: CM to Department

GUWAHATI: In view of the prevailing 'African Swine Fever' which afflicted the State, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal directed the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department to complete culling of the infected swine population before the ensuing Durga Puja.

Chairing a meeting with officials of the Department at the Assam Administrative Staff College here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said that the decision has been taken in compliance with the guidelines of the Central and State governments and adhering to experts' opinion. Stating that loss will be incurred by the pig farmers due to the culling operation, the Chief Minister said that they must be adequately compensated, stated a release.

He also asked the Department to senitize the affected areas to avert transfer of infection to healthy animals.

Sonowal also said that the Central government has already released the first instalment of the fund and the State government will immediately release its share for the compensation as well as for other measures to deal with the pestilence.

The meeting also discussed supply of pigs to Assam from different parts of the country.

In the aftermath of the 'African Swine Fever' outbreak, though supply of pigs to Assam from other parts of the country have been put on hold as per the directions of the Central government and order of the Court, Sonowal asked the senior officers of the Department to ensure that no encumbrances creep in while transporting pigs to other States of North East through Assam.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Sonowal also asked the Department to conduct survey on all the government farms across the State. He also said that in a move to involve more youths in the Piggery sector, the government farms may be operated and manged on the public-private partnership (PPP) mode to encourage self-employment. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', Chief Minister Sonowal asked the functionaries of the department to prepare an investment policy in the sector for private investors.

The meeting also discussed on ways to implement the Centre's flagship scheme for saving the livestock population from the 'Foot-and-mouth' disease.

Agriculture Minister Atul Bora was also present during the meeting.

Talking to The Sentinel after the meeting, Agriculture Director Ashok Kumar Barman said, "Though the culling of infected pigs was supposed to take place after August 15, it was not possible owing to the floods. The department estimates that there up to 12,000 such animals will be culled during the process."

Also watch: Assam Celebrates World Rhino Day



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