RISING FOOD DEMAND DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR
As the Lunar New Year of At Ty 2025 approaches, food consumption demand is rising sharply. Hanoi’s agriculture sector has called on localities to proactively strengthen disease control in livestock and poultry from the grassroots level, ensure food safety, and respond to the risk of disease outbreaks.
DISEASE SITUATION IN 2024
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in 2024 the country recorded 1,609 outbreaks of African swine fever in 48 provinces and cities, with 89,580 pigs dead and culled. Compared with 2023, the number of outbreaks increased by 69.01% and the number of pigs culled increased 2.01 times.
In addition, 16 outbreaks of A/H5N1 avian influenza occurred in 10 provinces and cities, with 113,270 poultry dead and culled. Compared with the previous year, the number of poultry culled increased 2.78 times. This situation poses a high risk of disease outbreaks in the coming period.
RISK OF DISEASE OUTBREAKS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Health, Mr. Phan Quang Minh, emphasized that although diseases in livestock and poultry are currently under control, the risk remains very high, especially during the Lunar New Year period. Seasonal weather changes and the trade, transport, and slaughter of unreported pigs have increased the risk of disease spread.
Deputy Director of Hanoi’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Ta Van Tuong, warned that Hanoi consumes large quantities of meat from livestock and poultry every day, while small-scale farming accounts for nearly 60%, creating a high risk of disease.
DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL SOLUTIONS
The Director of Hoang Long Livestock and Services Cooperative said that protecting livestock under complex weather conditions is an important factor. Measures include strengthening vaccination, sanitation, disinfection, and farming in the direction of biosecurity.
The Deputy Director of Hanoi’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also affirmed that Hanoi’s agriculture sector will intensify disease surveillance in livestock in high-risk areas. The city’s relevant agencies will coordinate to strengthen quarantine in the transport of livestock and poultry and strictly handle violations.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Phung Duc Tien, requested local authorities not to be complacent in disease prevention and control, and to implement support measures for livestock farmers affected by disease in accordance with the law.
Localities need to promote vaccination for livestock and poultry, ensuring that more than 80% of the total livestock population is vaccinated as soon as possible, and implement biosecure farming to ensure domestic food supply and serve exports.
Source: Ngoc Quynh
Hanoimoi.vn
