Official says pig deaths not caused by blue-ear disease
CHINA - A senior Chinese veterinary official has denied a foreign media report that "blue-ear disease" has caused the death of 20 million pigs.
1 June 2007
2 minute read
Li Jinxiang, deputy director of the veterinary bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture, said that there had been an outbreak of blue-ear disease but "it is impossible" that so many pigs have died.
In an FT.com report on Wednesday, an unidentified industry executive was quoted as saying "I have heard that it (blue-ear disease) has killed as many as 20m hogs."
Li said he was aware of the report, but the death rate from the disease was not that dramatic.
He added that the Ministry of Agriculture is sorting out statistics and will release them soon, according to Thursday's China Business News.
Source: People's Daily Online
