Chandigarh: In Punjab, after the threat of the lumpy skin on cows, now the pigs have been caught by the contagious disease.
The animal husbandry department of the state has ordered immediate culling of pigs suffering from African Swine Fever (ASF). The department says that compensation will be given to the affected persons as per the instructions of the central government.
Punjab Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, on Saturday, said that the Punjab government will provide due compensation for culling pigs as per the policy of the union government.
“African Swine Fever (ASF) has been confirmed at two places in district Patiala and as per the guidelines of the GoI, it is necessary to cull pigs within the radius of one kilometer from the epicenter of the disease, otherwise this disease can be a fatal”, said the Cabinet Minister, adding that the mortality rate of this disease can be as high as 100 per cent and once a pig is affected, it dies within a few days.
The Minister said that compensation will be given only for the culling done by the department. He urged the pig farmers to cooperate with the department so that the spread of the disease can be stopped immediately. Under the policy, compensation for destroyed feed of pigs in the containment zone will also be given, he added.