Ogun govt moves to tackle African Swine Fever

THE Ogun State Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that pig farmers always make profit from their venture and as such, it is prepared to take necessary steps to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the State.

Such steps include undertaking constant surveillance, continuous education of farmers and stakeholders of the pig value-chain, funding for prompt sampling and laboratory diagnosis, enforcement of quarantine policy, prioritising and encouraging pig farm registration.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina, made this known in Abeokuta during a sensitisation programme organised for pig farmers in the State by the Department of Veterinary Services.

Odedina, conveyed the State government’s sympathy to farmers who lost their pigs to the pandemic that ravaged their farms and resulting into huge loss, promising continuous enlightenment on best bio-security measures, regular diagnosis of livestock, among others.

“The plight of the average pig farmer in the recent African Swine Fever epidemic has not gone unnoticed by the State Government and while we commiserate with the farmers on the losses caused as a result of devastating effects of ASF outbreak, efforts are being made to forestall re-occurrence”, he said.

The Commissioner advised farmers to always ensure that they report promptly, cases of ASF to veterinary clinic, get sample collection and laboratory diagnosis as well as, prohibit any kind of movement, to limit disease spread.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Dotun Sorunke said the practice of picking pigs across different farms should be discouraged, as African Swine Fever has no known cure globally. He therefore urged pig farmers in the State to maintain hygiene practice at all times.

Addressing the farmers, Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Taiwo Jolaoso disclosed that manuals distributed to them was prepared in line with global standard and guidelines for effective control and eradication of the disease as they treat issues relating to response strategy, restocking protocols and post African Swine Fever Epidemic.

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