Russia prohibits pig farming in Tver Region
The governor of Tver Region has officially banned private pig farming for the coming three years in all districts of the region.
According to a decree almost all pig farms currently operating in the region are to be closed, all pigs will be culled, while the farmers will receive compensation from the regional budget. The reason for this is because “the spread of virus of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Tver region virtually became uncontrollable.”
At the same time the new rule (number 179-PG) will not affect large pig complexes that are also operating in the region. The text of the document says that “almost all pig farms should be closed,” however the representatives of the regional Ministry of Agriculture said that the number of largest producers which have the highest level of biological protection against ASF will continue its operation.
“In fact the ban applies to farms that have first and second level of animal health protection (compartment), or located within a radius of 20 kilometers around the large pig complexes,” commented the representative of the regional Ministry of Agriculture. Thus, the authorities will close about 90% of all pig farms in the region.
