The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will ask the Ministry of Public Security to join an investigation into rumours that discarded African swine fever-contracted pigs had been dumped into the environment.

Social media shared information that African swine fever-affected pigs were found to be dumped or destroyed in inappropriate ways in some northern localities such as Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Hai Phong and Bac Giang.

Phung Duc Tien, deputy minister of MARD, said that after being informed, he immediately came to Bac Giang Province.

He admitted that dead pigs which contracted African swine fever had been detected in Hiep Hoa District, and they had drifted from Thai Nguyen Province’s Phu Binh District.

"It is necessary to strictly deal with violations related to the disposal of the carcasses. MARD will call on the Ministry of Public Security to co-operate in this investigation,” Tien noted.

He urged the chairmen of Bac Giang and Thai Nguyen People’s Committee to find the source of the dead pigs dumped and partially take responsibility for the problem.

According to Tien, by May 12, African swine fever has ravaged 29 cities and provinces, causing 1.2 million pigs to be destroyed, mostly in the northern region.

At an online meeting on measures to deal with African swine fever in Hanoi on Monday, a representative from the CP Vietnam Livestock Corporation Company said that the firm was now breeding 300,000 pigs. Since the epidemic, the company had seen slower sales.

At present, many pigs including those up to 170 kilos have yet to be sold due to falling demand.

The company representative also wanted the test results on African swine fever produced faster than 3 to 4 days. Having to wait for this period posed risks that the disease could spread further. Many people could also try to sell their pigs during this period before the results were known. Dtinews