Dept to consult Vietnam, China over battling ASF

The Department of Livestock Development (DLD) will consult authorities in China and Vietnam on how to combat African swine fever (ASF), says Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Sri-on.

The department will raise the ASF issue for a remote discussion with authorities in China and Vietnam on Feb 3.

The ministry is drawing on the two countries’ experience in dealing with the disease that has the potential to cause widespread damage to pig farms and wreck the nation’s pork industry.

Mr Chalermchai said yesterday the discussion will help the ministry tailor a solution to the ASF problem in Thailand.

After that, a budget will be proposed to the government to compensate farmers whose businesses were damaged by ASF.

A survey from Jan 10-25 by the ministry confirmed ASF to be prevalent in parts of 13 provinces — Nakhon Pathom (in abattoirs), Bangkok, Suphan Buri, Phangnga,…