MINSK, 22 August (BelTA) – A wise approach should be practiced in fighting African swine fever. The statement was made by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the government session held on 22 August to discuss the epidemic situation in the pig breeding industry and measures to fight the viral swine disease, BelTA has learned.
Alexander Lukashenko remarked that the international practice indicates that the only way to stop an epidemic is fast and total slaughter of home-bred and wild swine in disease foci coupled with the deployment of buffer zones. In the past measures like these have been taken by Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, and in the former USSR. The President believes that this effective method has to be used in Belarus but wisely.
“If we find a disease focus in some small or large farm, in some small village, we have to create a buffer zone of about 5km. But we have to do it wisely and creatively instead of sitting in the office to draw a 5km circle around the village and order everything there slaughtered. Without listening to people, without understanding them. It must not happen like that! Everything should be done wisely!” stressed the President.
According to the head of state, preventive measures are needed in order to prevent the disease from spreading. As an example the President referred to Minsk Oblast where pigs are slaughtered in a meat factory with owners granted the choice of monetary compensation or meat. “If you pay a good price for every kilogram of pork or live weight, people will give pigs to you. Therefore, in order to prevent animals from being slaughtered it now is advisable to send them to meat factories in risk zones,” said the head of state.
Alexander Lukashenko believes that in order to achieve success in fighting the epidemic the precise coordination of actions of all government agencies is required, strict observance of the technical discipline and sanitary requirements at animal husbandry facilities as well as constant awareness efforts targeting the people. Alexander Lukashenko regretted that despite the taken measures the Belarusian pig breeding industry is still in danger.
According to the President, some destructive forces are trying to exploit the misfortune by raising the hype. “We should not give them reasons to fan the fire in our society,” stressed the head of state.
The President pointed out that the government had set up a special staff, certain measures are being taken, however, people still complain a lot about the work. Alexander Lukashenko underlined that the government cannot stay away from the misfortune, including the resolution of the financial issues it has raised. The President remarked he was absolutely against launching some programs to overcome consequences of the epidemic. “I am totally against make work. It is necessary to take concrete measures and do what has already been proven by experience,” he said.
Alexander Lukashenko said he was concerned about spreading African swine fever in Russia. Another powerful focus of the disease has been detected in Yaroslavl Oblast. “We cannot build a fence against the entire world, moreover, we cannot do it to Russia, therefore it is necessary to take effective measures here,” said the head of state. In particular, in his words, it is necessary to raise control over forage imports, it is necessary to reduce forage import. “We have enough forage of our own,” added the head of state.
Alexander Lukashenko said he wanted reports about how the damage from the epidemic, including economic damage, had been minimized, he wanted to hear about systemic efforts and interaction with the population. The President said he wanted reports about ongoing efforts from governors of Vitebsk Oblast and Grodno Oblast where the initial foci of African swine fever had been found.
Written by belta.by
