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| A pig-raising farmhouse in Thừa Thiên – Huế Province’s Quảng Điền District. The price of pork in the province has reduced significantly due to rumours of a blue-ear pandemic. File Photo |
Viet Nam News
THỪA THIÊN - HUẾ — The central province of Thừa Thiên - Huế is not having a blue-ear pig pandemic, said Nguyễn Văn Hưng, head of the provincial Branch of Livestock Production and Veterinary.
Hưng yesterday refuted rumours spreading in the province over recent days about a pandemic, which worried many consumers.
The baseless rumours have already caused economic damage to pig rearing and slaughtering households, as well as pork traders across the province.
Thirty-two livestock slaughter houses in the province used to slaughter 2,300 – 2,400 pigs per day. However, the figure has reduced by an average of 25 per cent, or even 39 per cent some days, since the beginning of November.
The live weight pork price decreased from VNĐ40,000 (US$1.8) per kilogram to VNĐ36,000-38,000.
Nguyễn Thị Thương, a retailer at An Cựu Market in Huế City, said while the price of pork at the market had reduced to VNĐ60,000 – 65,000 per kilogram from the normal VNĐ90,000 – 95,000 per kilogram, it was still difficult to sell.
Consumers were reluctant to buy pork due to concerns over the blue-ear pandemic, although pork sold at the market had obtained quarantine stamps from authorities.
According to Nguyễn Văn Hưng, the rumour probably stemmed from wholesale traders aiming at reducing the live weight pork price. He advised consumers not to believe the rumours.
The provincial Branch of Livestock Production and Veterinary would continue to intensify inspections to ensure food hygiene and safety in the province, he said.
Since October, the province has supported its livestock slaughtering establishments to apply clean technology to ensure food safety and protect the environment. — VNS
