The first batch of 500 imported live pigs arrives at Lao Bảo border gate in Quảng Trị province on June 17. — Photo VGP

HÀ NỘI — The first batch of 500 live pigs from Thailand arrived at Lao Bảo border gate in Quảng Trị province on Wednesday, after a decline in hog prices in Việt Nam.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the pigs are currently carrying out quarantine procedures in Nghệ An Province. Thành Đô Limited Company is the importer of the live pigs, which weigh between 90 - 130kg each.

Earlier this month, MARD permitted the import of live pigs from Thailand for farming and slaughter for the first time to counter skyrocketing live hog prices in the domestic market.

According to the ministry’s Department of Animal Health, eight firms are eligible to import with an expected number of more than 1.9 million pigs.

The department said companies exporting live pigs from Thailand to Viet Nam must complete procedures to ensure sanitation and food safety, such as being transported by specialised vehicles and being sanitised and disinfected.

Importers must have isolation facilities and must have their veterinary hygiene conditions checked by the department’s veterinary agencies. VNS