Fiji’s Ministry of Agriculture insists current measures it has in place are capable of maintaining the country’s African Swine Fever-free status after cases were reported in Papua New Guinea.
Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Dr Mahendra Reddy said they are taking necessary steps to with local commercial piggery farm owners and the Biosecurity of Fiji (BAF), they are taking steps to prevent importation of contaminants through pork products and pig farming supplies.
“At this stage, there are no reports from any of our local pig farmers that indicates the presence of swine flu or African swine fever,” Reddy said.
An MOU signed between BAF and PHAMA Plus program five days ago is timely for the ministry in this regard, as it looks to strengthen Fiji’s preparedness against the possible incursion of ASF in the country. It also entails raising awareness and surveillances activities at farmer level.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs. In its acute form, the disease generally results in high mortality of pigs.
