New Zealand - Pig farmers to continue bid to eradicate disease

Published: May 6, 2004

Source : The New Zealand Herald

Waikato pig farmers have voted to continue their fight to eradicate a destructive disease in young pigs, despite biosecurity official advising it is impossible. The first in a series of nationwide meetings to develop a strategy of eradication was held in Hamilton last night. Pork Industry Board chief executive Angus Davidson said it had voted two-to-one in favour of further work on eradicating post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). "Support is being offered to farmers. A farm liaison officer is in communication with those farmers affected," he said. The disease was discovered at Ted and Irene Graham's Orini property, 24km east of Huntly, last September. About 25 piggeries between Whangarei and Taranaki -- the majority in the Waikato -- are being checked by biosecurity officials. Several farmers have quit the industry rather than deal with the disease, for which there is no cure, although the Pork Industry Board believes the problem can be controlled within New Zealand.

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