Safe repopulation of herds after the epidemic.

- After a period of outbreaks and complex developments, African Swine Fever (ASF) in the province has now been basically brought under control. This is a positive sign for livestock farmers to gradually restore production.

People in Chien Thang commune are restocking their pig herds after the African swine fever outbreak.

According to statistics from specialized agencies, 30 out of 60 communes and wards in the province have declared African Swine Fever (ASF) eradicated, and 54 out of 64 communes and wards have gone 21 days without any new outbreaks. This is an important basis for livestock farmers to restore production. However, ASF is a dangerous disease, and the pathogen can persist in the environment, causing significant damage. Therefore, all levels of government, relevant agencies, and the people have determined that restocking must go hand in hand with strict disease control.

In many communes that previously experienced outbreaks, pig restocking has begun, but with caution. Mr. Nguyen Van Cong, a pig farmer in Lang Thanh village, Chien Thang commune, said: "My family used to raise one sow for breeding and meat production. During the recent African Swine Fever outbreak (June 2025), my family lost two meat pigs, but luckily we still had the sow. After more than a month without any outbreaks, I cleaned and disinfected the breeding environment to prepare for restocking. To date, I have restocked with four pigs, and I am also taking care of the sow to ensure a supply of breeding stock for other farmers who need to restock."

The authorities recommend that pig restocking must be linked to biosecurity practices, avoiding uncontrolled and massive restocking that could easily lead to disease outbreaks. In addition, farmers need to strictly control access to the farm, using separate clothing and boots; properly dispose of livestock waste; avoid using leftover feed that has not been heat-treated; and regularly monitor the herd, promptly reporting any unusual signs.

Along with the proactive efforts of the people, the authorities of communes and wards have also intensified propaganda and guidance for people to repopulate their herds according to proper procedures. Mr. Vi Van Tuan, Head of the Economic Department of Chien Thang commune, said: "Although African Swine Fever (ASF) has been declared eradicated, the commune is determined not to be complacent or negligent. We regularly disseminate information and guide people to only repopulate their herds when they meet all the necessary conditions regarding barns and veterinary hygiene, and to notify veterinary staff for monitoring and supervision. We also advise people to buy breeding stock with clear origins. To date, households in the area have begun repopulating their herds on a small scale, with the total pig population in the commune currently around 600."

Not only in Chien Thang commune, but also in other communes where African Swine Fever (ASF) has been declared eradicated, livestock farmers are implementing a gradual and cautious restocking plan. To date, the total pig population in the province is estimated at over 187,000.

At this time, restocking to meet market demand is a positive sign, but it must be done within the framework of disease management and strict adherence to technical procedures to avoid the risk of disease recurrence. Mr. Tran The Ngan, Deputy Director of the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, said: To ensure that restocking is done according to regulations and effectively, we recommend that farmers only restock after 30 days from the date the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak is declared over. When starting to restock, only raise about 10% of the total size of the barn. After about 30 days of raising, when the health of the pig herd is stable, take samples for testing. If all samples test negative for ASF, then restocking can be done with up to 100% of the barn's capacity. Regarding breeding stock, farmers should only import breeding pigs from disease-free farms with quarantine certificates from veterinary authorities.

With the coordinated efforts of all levels of government, specialized agencies, and the proactive spirit of livestock farmers, it is believed that pig repopulation activities in the province will gradually be restored, ensuring disease safety and contributing to the stability of agricultural production in the coming period.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/tai-dan-an-toan-sau-dich-ta-lon-chau-phi-5072958.html