NIBONG TEBAL – Compensation for pig farmers affected by the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak will be finalised soon, says Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Foong Hin.
He said the ministry had already held several discussions with the Finance Ministry regarding the compensation issue.
“I have discussed it many times with the Finance Ministry, and I was informed that the funds are ready, but it’s not in ‘black and white’ yet.
“An official statement (at the ministry level) will be made...in the near future (regarding the compensation), and we ask the farmers involved to be patient,” he told reporters after visiting pig farms in Kg Selamat and Perkampungan Valdor here today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was also present during the visit, in which a dialogue session was also held with the affected pig farmers.
Commenting further, Chan said that every pig farm that had tested positive must comply with the set policy, which is to carry out the culling of all pigs and to resume operations only after 80 days.
He said the Veterinary Services Department needs to comply with the policy.
Chan also hoped that all parties, especially pig farmers, would also adhere to it for the sake of biosecurity and consumer welfare.
So far, ASF has infected 30 commercial pig farms in Penang involving 68,659 pigs, with a total of 14,385 pigs being culled from 16 farms. – Bernama, February 19, 2023
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