African Swine Fever Losses Growing Across Southeast Asia

(ROME, ITALY) The China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) admitted last week that the African Swine Fever (ASF) epidemic is slowing down in China, however, the situation is still complicated and difficult. ASF controls are being implemented at the county level to strengthen grassroots capacity. Laboratory research of vaccines are showing positive progress, and scientific research units have signed research agreements with domestic large-scale veterinary vaccine manufacturers. However, the road to developing a safe, effective and controllable vaccine remains very long. China’s pig production has declined. According to MARA, live pig stocks fell by 4.2 percent in May, a 23 percent year-on-year decline. The number of able-bred stocks fell by four percent month-on-month and 24 percent from 2018. To support the recovery and development of pig production, MARA will provide temporary assistance to hog farmers in China. In Vietnam, ASF is crippling the swine industry. With widespread outbreaks recorded last week, Vietnam has now culled more than three million pigs. Total losses due to culling, according to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, have eclipsed five million head in Southeast Asia since the outbreak began last August.