China confirms African Swine Fever on major pig farm
ASF has been confirmed on a 19,938-head pig farm in northeast China.
African Swine Fever (ASF) has been confirmed on a farm in China that houses around 20,000 pigs.
According to Reuters News Agency, the case occurred in the northeast province of Liaoning and is one of several to have been reported in recent days.
A statement published by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said that case had occurred on a 19,938-head farm. Although the statement did not reveal the identity of the farm or its owner, it said that 221 pigs died and that it was located in Jinzhou city.
“The fact that the disease was confirmed on a big pig farm showed that it got more serious,” said Yao Guiling, an analyst with consultancy China-America Commodity Data Analytics.
“Big companies usually have better biosecurity measures. [The new outbreak] highlights the difficulty in controlling the disease. Companies will probably rethink or slow their output expansion plans.”
Reuters also said that the disease had been reported at two farms in Panjin city and another in Tianjin city, sparking concern that it remained far from control.
Pig prices in China’s northeast have tumbled after farmers were unable to move their pigs out of the infected provinces, while prices in the south have seen a sudden increase.
News of the spread of the disease also sent shares at top domestic pork producer Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development Co Ltd closing down seven per cent on Monday.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
