No end in sight to ban on pigs import

DIMAPUR — The embargo on the import of pigs from Assam entered the fourth day as the Pork Butchers' Union Dimapur (PBUD) decided against lifting the ban as no “positive response” was received from the concerned authority.

PBUD began closure of all the pork butcher shops in Dimapur on April 24 in protest against the Assam government’s ban on transportation of pigs through Assam.

President of PBUD, Shikato T Swu told Eastern Mirror that the current cost of wholesale live weight pigs (Assam local pigs) is approximately INR 250 per kilogram and as a result, butchers were unable to sell pork meat at the retail price of INR 280, which has been fixed by the Dimapur Municipal Council.

He further highlighted that this situation is not only concerning for the butchers but also for the public.

Swu mentioned that many Nagas have started this business as a means of achieving self-reliance; however, the indefinite ban imposed by the union on the import of Assam local pigs will continue until the Assam government lifts the temporary ban on the transportation of live pigs from other states.

The union also expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the public in general.

Meanwhile, the union also submitted a representation to the governor of Nagaland, chief minister, chief secretary and director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department, through the deputy commissioner of Dimapur, to intervene on the issue on Thursday.

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The representation said the government of Assam had imposed a ban on the transport of pigs from other states on March 15, citing swine flu.

Due to the ban imposed by the Assam government, the pork butchers have to source local pork available in Assam, sold at a cost of INR 200 per kilogram for live weight pigs.

However, the price of local pork in Assam has steadily increased and it is now available for INR 250 per kilogram of live weight pigs.

Furthermore, it read that the waste produced from the innards of these pigs were not less than 15 kilogram per live pig, as the pigs were overfed before delivery, leading to significant losses.

“As a result of the increased prices and waste produced from the innards of local pigs in Assam, it has become impossible for the pork butchers in Dimapur to sustain their business,” it said, adding that this has affected more than 500 pork butchers in Dimapur. It further resolved to stop the sale of pork until some arrangements are made available to sustain their business.

The union urged the concerned authorities to take action and necessary measures to lift the ban imposed on import of live pigs at the earliest.

Also read: Nagaland bans import of pork amid Assam restricting passage of pigs from various parts of India