Govt told to find cause of diseases infecting animals

SHILLONG, June 11: Amid concerns about diseases spreading among animals such as cows and pigs, whose meat form a significant part of the diet of the people in the state, former MLA PT Sawkmie has urged the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister AL Hek to direct the department to unearth the main cause(s) for the disease spreading among the cattle and pigs of the state.
“So far people are still in the dark since no information has been shared by the department on African Swine Flu (AFS) and the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) suffered by the pigs and cattle,” Sawkmie said.
According to him, the people would like to know whether the disease is only in Meghalaya or other parts of the country too.
He emphasised the need for the AH&V department to share advisories to the people who rear pigs and cattle, as well as meat sellers and the general public.
He lamented that in view of the current situation, people have had to resort to a different diet. Not only beef and pork even fish imported from outside the state is unsafe now due to the reported presence of formalin, he added.
Sawkmie suggested that the Fisheries department, Commissionerate of Food Safety and the fish sellers should work closely to ensure that the fish sold in the market are safe for consumption.
“I would also suggest the need to conduct tests on all the fish consignment which are being imported from outside the state. This is important for the health and safety of the citizens,” Sawkmie said, while adding that the UDP Mawlai Circle has also flagged concern over the prevailing situation.