Battle goes on to contain swine fever in province

EASTERN CAPE - The culling of pigs infected with swine fever is continuing in parts of the Eastern Cape.

Senior veterinary services director Luba Mrwebi said yesterday 165 000 pigs – about two-thirds of the province’s pig population – had been culled so far since August last year.

Although the culling was expected to be finished by mid December, Mrwebi said the “communal nature of the area“ and a lack of resources were the main causes of the delay.

“We have asked for extra help and we have received it from various stakeholders, but the nature of the area has made it difficult for us to finish the culling on the expected deadline.“

He said the culling was expected to continue for four more weeks, but there was no need for panic as the swine fever had been contained.

So far the department had spent R17-million on the culling. Mrwebi said although the department was behind schedule with the reimbursement of farmers for their pigs, R15 million had been paid out to date.

Those people in charge of paying farmers were struggling to get the funds on time, he said.

Culling was being done still in the Mthatha, Willowvale and Elliotdale areas. Swine fever was first identified on piggeries in the Western Cape in July.

Source: The Herald Online