Nagaland: Pigs import from UK face roadblocks

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Feb. 19 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, on Friday stated that pigs importing from United Kingdom (UK) to the state face roadblocks. Rio stated this while addressing the last day of the 7th session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Friday.

Rio stated that the pigs from UK required 30 days quarantine at Delhi. He added that the government of India could not give permission for transportation from Delhi to Nagaland and was kept under the care of Punjab.

He, however, stated that the state department of Veterinary is doing a commendable job in setting up model piggery farms to increase productivity. He further added that the government is trying its best to produce food sufficiency.

The chief minister stated this in response to a questions raised by the opposition  MLAs Moatoshi Longkumer and Dr. Chotisuh Sazo on the floor of the house. Rio stated that INR 300 lakh has been earmarked for setting up three model piggery farms 2021-2022 under the department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences.

While the department of Fisheries has been provided INR. 350 lakhs, Rio stated that an amount of INR. 250 lakh has been earmarked for up-gradation of eight government demonstration fish farms.

Dr. Chotisuh Sazo, while referring to the chief minister’s budget speech in 2020 for the department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, demanded for the status/ conditions of those pigs which were mentioned in the previous year’s budget speech.

MLA Moatoshi Longkumer has alleged connivance with the Assam counterparts to capture the pig markets in Nagaland on the pretext of African swine flu. To substantiate his claim, Longkumer stated that pork are sold at large scale without any restriction while it was restricted in Nagaland.