Before the African swine fever epidemic, Vinh City tightened slaughter management, calling for not turning away from pork.

Pork consumption in markets is slow.

On June 1, at the home of Ms. Le Thi Vien, Yen Giang block, Vinh Tan ward (Vinh city), a sick pig died and tested positive for African swine fever. The authorities destroyed 6 pigs with a total weight of 174 kg.

Spraying chemicals and sprinkling lime for disinfection at the Yen Giang block epidemic area, Vinh Tan ward (Vinh city). Photo: Quang An

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Minh - Head of Yen Giang block said: The cause of the epidemic is currently unknown, however this household often collects garbage and leftover food from restaurants and residential areas to feed pigs. That is one of the causes of the current epidemic spread.

According to a reporter's survey, at markets in Vinh City, pork consumption has decreased somewhat, and some vendors have stopped selling.

Meat stalls at Vinh market were empty on the morning of June 6. Photo: Quang An

At Vinh market, the city's largest market, on the morning of June 6, there were only 6 stalls selling pork inside and outside the Tay communal house, most of the remaining stalls were empty.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thinh, a meat trader at Vinh market, shared: My pigs are imported from Hung Chinh slaughterhouse (Vinh city), the current price of pigs is still stable. However, from morning to noon, I only sold 1/3 of the amount of meat compared to normal days, people's purchasing power has decreased significantly.

At Ben Thuy market, there are 5 stalls selling pork, the purchasing power is slightly higher because it is close to Vinh University. However, compared to the time before the epidemic, the consumption is still less.

Other markets such as Quan Lau market, Hung Dung market... are in a similar situation. And although purchasing power has slowed down somewhat, according to the reporter's investigation, all pork products in these markets have certificates of origin and quarantine stamps from veterinary agencies.

Pork selling points at markets in Vinh City all have quarantine stamps from veterinary agencies. Photo: Quang An

On June 5, the Vinh City Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station advised the Vinh City People's Committee to issue a directive to resolutely stop all slaughtering activities at 4 livestock slaughterhouses in Vinh Tan commune - where the African swine fever outbreak occurred.

Thus, in Vinh city, there is only a centralized slaughterhouse in Hung Chinh commune still operating with an average of 7-8 pigs slaughtered per day.

Clearing out sidewalk meat stalls

Vinh City also directed wards and communes to focus on eliminating 149 pork product trading points on sidewalks in the area; inspect trading at markets; if pork does not have a quarantine stamp from veterinary agencies, it will be resolutely handled.

Consumers in Vinh City do not turn their backs on pork. Photo: Quang An

According to the reporter's records, on the morning of June 6, on key streets selling pork on sidewalks and roadsides such as Phong Dinh Cang, Nguyen Van Troi, Nguyen Phong Sac... there were no cases of people selling pork on the street.

The city has advised consumers not to “turn their backs” on pork products, but to choose pork slaughtered at centralized slaughterhouses, inspected and controlled by veterinary agencies, and stamped with quarantine stamps. Absolutely do not consume pork sold on sidewalks and corridors because it does not ensure disease safety and food hygiene and safety.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Duc - Head of Vinh City Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station