Pork ban relaxed in Assam: Animal Husbandry Minister Atul Bora

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Atul Bora, on Tuesday, informed that the government has now relaxed some of the restrictions which were imposed on the selling of pork meat in the State.

Bora said that the decision was taken after consultation with the Veterinary experts and departments officials.

The government has identified certain places as the epicenter of the African Swine Fever after tests were conducted at that the National Institute of High Security Animal in Bhopal.

The places are – Bortamuli Gaon in Biswanath district, Peepol Guri in Dehemaji District, Kotiyori, Bhatgos, Neetaipukhuri, Kheluoi in Sivasagar district, Bormukoli Gaon in Jorhat district, and Gorchuk in Kamrup (Metro).

"Apart from the infected zones which have been identified for a radius of 1 km and the surveillance zones of 10 km, pork meat can be sold. There is no ban in districts which does not have any infected zone. However, transportation of pork meat is banned from one district to another," said Bora.

Till Thursday, 15,867 pigs have died in the State due to the African Swine Fever, the minister stated. "The Fever started in Sivasagar, Jorhat, Biswanath Chariali, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, and Dibrugarh. But it has now spread to other districts in Golaghat, Majuli, Nagaon, and Kamrup (M)," added Bora.

In regard to culling, Bora said that the department is in talks with the Centre. "If it is required to cull the pigs, the compensation will be split between the Centre and the State. The State Government is prepared to bear 50 % of the cost, and the Central Government will foot the other 50% of the expense that shall be incurred due to the culling."

The Minister also said that discussions are on with the Forest Department regarding measures to avoid inter-mingling between the domestic pigs and the wild boars. 

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