Guwahati: The Mizoram government has lifted the ban on the import of pigs and pig products after more than a year.
In an order issued by the government stated that since the African Swine Fever (ASF) epidemic has been mostly limited, importation of pigs and pig products have been allowed to some extent.
Since January of this year, no new instances of ASF have been discovered, according to officials.
However, imports of pigs and pig products have been forbidden from August 17, 2020.
Importing pigs and piglets requires prior approval from the state’s animal husbandry and veterinary science department, official added.
Officials further stated that only disease-free pigs and piglets from neighbouring nations and disease-free states should be purchased or imported.
A health certificate and a Common Swine Fever (CSF) vaccination certificate are required for imported pigs, and both must be given to the animal check gate by the owner.
Officials argue that the pigs can only be repopulated after following the National Action Plan’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for cleaning and disinfecting the affected facilities.
The ASF, which was first found in March of last year, has claimed 29,824 pigs across 11 districts, affecting 272 communities, according to the animal husbandry and veterinary science department.
It may be mentioned that 10,381 pigs were slaughtered to prevent the sickness.