Nagaland partially lifts ban on import of pigs to the state

Dimapur, Sep. 16 (EMN): The government of Nagaland on Wednesday issued a notification informing that the ban on import of pigs to the state has been partially lifted with immediate effect. It stated that healthy and certified pigs from Punjab and Haryana can be imported, except from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and states having cases of African swine fever.

Nagaland banned the import of pigs from outside the state on April 28 this year due to the outbreak of African swine fever in the neighbouring state of Assam.

The department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services stated that the decision to partially lift the ban was taken at the behest of the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy’s letter on July 22 to allow transportation of pigs to the north-eastern states, considering the economic importance and demands of the farmers and market to ensure food supply without compromising bio-security and bio-safety, and the fact that there are no cases of African swine fever in Nagaland as certified.

The department has directed the licence holders and transporters to strictly adhere to the following SOPs:

• – The transit animals are not disembarked in any place for any purpose within Assam.
• – The vehicles do not have any stopover points within Assam unless it is of utmost necessity. – No animal waste or animal carcass is thrown out of the vehicles of the transit route.
• – Transit vehicles travelling through infected areas of African swine fever are to be disinfected at the exit point of the infected zone and the exit of the surveillance zone and the disinfection related costs will have to be borne by the transporter or the supplier.
• – Violation of the above mentioned SOPs shall lead to confiscation of the animals with fines as determined by the confiscating authority.
• – Record of each animal, animal transporter with license number and vehicle number, name of consignee, address of consignee is to be kept, at each inter-district checkposts and will be forwarded to the directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department, Assam.
• – The transporters and license holder should report to the respective CVOs with details.