Amid the complicated developments of African swine fever in many neighboring provinces, pig farmers and local authorities in the former Binh Duong area — which currently holds the largest pig herd in Ho Chi Minh City with more than 950,000 pigs, accounting for about 72% of the total herd — are urgently implementing a range of decisive measures to protect the safety of livestock.
PROACTIVE DISEASE PREVENTION RIGHT FROM THE FARM
Mr. Dinh Van Ky, owner of a farm with more than 2,000 pigs in An Long Commune (formerly part of Phu Giao District, Binh Duong), said disease prevention has always been a top priority.
His farm applies a multi-layered biosecurity system: from disinfection areas for vehicles and people to controlling feed and water sources.
Workers at the farm strictly follow hygiene procedures, spray disinfectant multiple times a day, and change clothing when entering and leaving the livestock area. As a result, the risk of disease transmission is minimized to the greatest extent.
Not only large-scale farms, but small household farms are also highly vigilant. Mr. Nguyen Van Khan, who raises 5 sows and 40 market pigs in Phuoc Sang Commune, shared: “My family always keeps the barn clean, sprays disinfectant regularly, and only buys piglets with clear origins and quarantine records. The biggest concern is that if an outbreak occurs, all our capital will be lost and restocking will be very difficult.”
AUTHORITIES TIGHTEN CONTROL
In response to farmers’ concerns, local authorities in communes with large pig herds such as Phu Giao, An Long, Phuoc Thanh, and others have simultaneously implemented practical measures. Vaccination is carried out periodically with high coverage; interagency inspection teams regularly monitor everything from wholesale markets to slaughterhouses to ensure that pork products reaching the market are quarantined.
According to Mr. Tran Minh Duc, Head of the Binh Duong Livestock and Veterinary Station, currently 95% of the pig herd in the area is raised in closed-loop farms, with fairly good disease prevention measures. For the 5% of small-scale households, the veterinary sector continuously organizes training sessions and provides vaccines and disinfectants to improve disease prevention effectiveness.
Mr. Duc emphasized: “The veterinary sector strictly controls everything from breeding stock, the raising process, transportation, to slaughter. Piglets brought into the area must have clear origins, test negative for infectious diseases, and be vaccinated as required. This is a mandatory condition to bring safe products to consumers.”
A “SHIELD” TO PROTECT THE PIG HERD IN THE HCMC AREA
Thanks to the coordinated cooperation among farm owners, small household farmers, and authorities, the former Binh Duong area is creating a solid “shield” against African swine fever. These efforts not only protect the huge pig herd — an important food supply source for Ho Chi Minh City — but also contribute to building a safe, sustainable livestock industry ready to respond to any future challenges.
Thien Ly
Source: VOV Online
