Compensate farmers for pigs culled due to African swine fever, govt told

 

PETALING JAYA: A Pakatan Harapan MP has called on the government to compensate farmers for pigs culled because of African swine fever (ASF).

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin said some farms had to reduce their breeding capacity to 30% to manage risks, resulting in a pork shortage in the market and a spike in prices.

“If a farm contracted ASF, up to 100% of the live pig population might die within 14 days, and the government will order the culling of live pigs once the virus is confirmed,” he said in a statement today.

“As a result, the price has gone up 10 times in the last year for wholesalers and consumers.”

Sim said the industry has been affected by the cost of feed, which has risen because of the war in Ukraine, and global commodity prices. He said labour shortage has also increased the cost of production.

He suggested that the government guarantee compensation to farmers to boost their confidence to continue breeding pigs despite the high risk of ASF.

“To qualify for the compensation, the farmers must commit to breeding pigs no less than 95% of their farm capacity. Increasing breeding will ensure market supply and stabilise prices,” he said.

He noted that chicken farmers were previously compensated during the Nipah and H1N1 outbreaks.

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Capacity or quotas are provided by the veterinary services department to every farm based on their facilities and market conditions.

“Additionally, pig farmers and butchers must work together to ensure there is no excessive profiteering on either side. The government can then monitor the prices and act if there are market irregularities,” he said.

Sim said it is also important for the agriculture and food security ministry to determine the right solutions.

In January, 23 pig farms in Penang were affected by ASF, with about 8,000 pigs in Seberang Perai Tengah and Seberang Perai Selatan culled. - FMT