Culling of pigs: Farmers urged to fully cooperate

Kota Kinabalu: Pig farmers in northern Pitas, including Paitan and Sugud, are urged to give full cooperation to authorities if livestock culling is required.

According to Pitas Assemblyman Datuk Ruddy Awah, Sabah Veterinary Services Department (DVS) officials would be visiting more areas in the vicinity of the farm where the African Swine Fever virus was first detected.

“We need all farm owners to cooperate when asked to surrender livestock and to allow culling to be done to prevent the spread of ASF,” he said.

He assured that compensation would be given to those affected.

“This will take some time as there are many procedures involved, including getting an estimate of losses for those affected and to have the compensation amount discussed and approved in Cabinet,” Ruddy said.

He said officials are also monitoring Kota Marudu, the district next to Pitas.

A census is also ongoing on the villages and number of animals involved.

Ruddy said ASF only affects animals but does not pose a risk to humans.

It is learnt that over 2,000 pigs could be culled in the operation.

Pitas is not Sabah’s main pig-producing district, with pork mainly coming from Tamparuli, Tuaran, Papar, Sandakan and Tawau.

The first case of ASF was detected about a week ago on a farm in Pitas.