DILI, 08 february 2022 (TATOLI)– The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), in collaboration with the Australian Market Development Facility (MDF), is committed to reactivating public awareness through a campaign to combat the continuing spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).
The campaign ensures public awareness of ASF and provides more accurate information regarding the ASF virus for farmers. Thus, they are able to protect livestock.
MAP is in partnership with MDF Australia to reactivate a successful campaign carried out during 2020-2021.
This is a national initiative that uses a variety of communication methods including television, massage, social media, radio, posters, brochures, and farmer training.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pedro dos Reis, said the ASF campaign’s main purpose is to promote better rearing practices among pig farmers to reduce the spread of the virus and prevent pig deaths.
“Pigs are most important, as livestock for Timorese farmers. It is important for farmers and community members to take all steps to stop the further spread of ASF. These measures are taken to protect pigs from other diseases as well. Thus, it is a good practice to keep pigs safe,” said Pedro dos Reis at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Office, Dili, monday.
In the same place, the National Director of Animal Health, Joanita Bendita da Costa Jong revealed that the MAP-MDF campaign has begun ASF campaign from 2020 to 2021. It has reached almost 627,647 people.
According to MDF’s survey, 90 percent of farmers who follow the guidelines save their pigs from ASF transmission,” she said.
The ASF is a dangerous virus for the pigs population of Timor-Leste (TL) and even negatively impacts the national economy.
She added significant progress has been made in limiting the spread of ASF, a highly contagious swine disease that arrived in the TL in September 2019 and has since killed an estimated 158,000 pigs.
However, in december 2021, MAP detected ASF incidents in the cities of Dili, Baucau, Bobonaro and Lautem.
Ms. Jong said that building pig pens and regularly cleaning, replacing leftover meat with local/commercial feed, and limiting the number of people around pigs are some of the preventive measures suggested by awareness campaigns.
Based on the regulations imposed by Quarantine prohibiting the importation of pork products from affected countries, the Government of Timor-Leste will find a measure to stop the import of such prohibited products from ASF-affected countries.
“We all have a responsibility to keep the pigs clean and healthy, and provide them with safe food,” explains Joanita Bendita da Costa Jong.
ASF can be infected to any type of pig. However it is not to other animals or humans.
This disease spreads quickly and easily and it kills quickly. There is no vaccine or treatment for ASF.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Rafy Belo
