GUWAHATI: Assam has decided to relax to a certain extent the ban imposed on the sale and consumption of pork in the state.
Mounting deaths of pigs infected with African Swine Fever (ASF) had prompted the state government to prohibit sale and consumption of pork in as many as nine districts earlier this month.
“After consultation with veterinary experts and officials of veterinary and animal husbandry department, we have decided on certain relaxations in the sale and consumption of pork and pork products. I am sure this will provide much needed relief to the pig farmers and piggery owners,” Assam animal husbandry and veterinary minister, Atul Bora informed on Tuesday.
Accordingly, sale and consumption has been allowed within ASF-affected districts, excluding containment and surveillance zones (1 km and 10 km respectively set up around the affected areas. The same norm would be applicable for the unaffected districts.
“However, inter-district and inter-state buying, selling and transfer of pigs, pork and pork products is not allowed,” Bora said.
The ASF-affected districts include Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Biswanath, Jorhat, Kamrup (Metro), Golaghat and Majuli.
Reportedly, over 15,000 pigs infected with ASF have died since the outbreak of the disease in the state.
The minister had a couple of days back informed about the department considering permission for sale of pork in areas unaffected by ASF after consulting livestock and veterinary experts so that the livelihoods of those engaged in the piggery sector are not affected.
The state government had earlier assured pig farmers of providing adequate compensation against losses incurred since the outbreak of ASF.
The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal had earlier this month confirmed the presence of the ASF virus in pigs in the state after samples sent there tested positive for the virus.
