Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development proposes strict control over the trade of miniature pigs

The document stated that recently, some media agencies have reported an increase in the trade and transportation of miniature pet pigs, most likely smuggled across the border from neighboring countries into Vietnam for consumption.

Meanwhile, according to information from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), from August 3, 2018 to March 16, 2019, China reported a total of 113 outbreaks of African swine fever in 28 provinces, forcing the destruction of over 1.1 million pigs; the disease is still complicated in many countries around the world.

Miniature pig hobby is booming, risk of spreading disease.

In Vietnam, as of March 16, 2019, African Swine Fever has occurred in 253 communes, 57 districts of 18 provinces and cities, with a total of 26,807 sick and culled pigs. The risk of the disease continuing to spread widely in the coming time is very high.

African swine fever is a dangerous infectious disease caused by a virus that affects all types of pigs (domestic pigs, including pet pigs and wild boars); sick pigs can die up to 100%, causing great economic damage; currently in the world there is no vaccine to prevent the disease, no treatment; the disease is not transmitted to humans.

In order to effectively organize and implement disease prevention and control work and soon control African swine fever, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, the Standing Committee of the National Steering Committee 389 to direct departments, branches and local authorities to focus on organizing and strictly implementing the contents of Directive No. 04/CT-TTg dated February 20, 2019 of the Prime Minister; at the same time, direct to strengthen strict control of illegal trading and transportation of miniature pigs across the border; promptly detect and strictly handle cases of illegal trading, transportation and consumption of miniature pigs of unknown origin and smuggled pigs.

During the implementation process, if there are any problems, please notify the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in writing for coordination and handling.

Miniature pigs are imported from China.

Miniature pigs used to be sold on online shopping sites before and after Tet, but recently, many people are interested in and looking to buy them.

According to the advertisement, these are all piglets with a birth weight of 200gr. When they reach 2kg, they can be kept as pets. Thanks to their diet of fresh milk, mini pigs do not smell. Like dogs and cats, they are very attached to their owners, and the care is not too complicated. Because of their small size and novelty, this breed of pet is currently sought after a lot.

Market research shows that the buying and selling of miniature pigs as pets on social networks is very active. The price of this type of pig usually fluctuates between 2.7 - 5 million VND/pig depending on the breed and origin.

According to the sources selling miniature pet pigs, this type is a domestic pig. They are small in size, with small, erect ears, a pot belly, a curved back, chubby cheeks, a round head, a short snout, legs, neck and tail, and thick fur. Because they are kept as pets, they often eat pellets or cereals, milk...