The authorities have denied that an outbreak of African swine fever is responsible for the pork crunch driving prices up.
Government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana yesterday rejected opposition claims that the disease – harmless to humans but fatal to pigs – is being kept secret after the pork supply fell by nearly a third.
University veterinarians said they were “deeply concerned” in an open letter published Sunday about a potential swine flu outbreak and urged the government to take action immediately. Thanakorn said livestock authorities were closely monitoring suspected cases and would report any found to the World Organization for Animal Health.
Since New Year’s Day, pork prices have increased nationwide. At one Bangkok noodle restaurant, the price of crispy pork recently went up THB10 to THB70. The rise in pork prices by upward of 50%…
