South Africa - Farmers agree to cull 9,000 more pigs
Published:April 8, 2005
Source :SABC News
The Western Cape agriculture department and role players in the pig farming industry have agreed to cull more than 9,000 pigs in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly blue-ear virus.
The decision was taken at a meeting between Cobus Dowry, the provincial minister of agriculture, the Pork Producers' Association and farmers in Stellenbosch today.
Areas in the Boland District Municipality and Malmesbury have been placed under quarantine.
Dowry says he will approach the Western Cape cabinet tomorrow to secure R3 million to cull 1,500 pigs owned by emerging farmers.
R8 million has been forwarded by the Pork Producers' Association to cull 8,000 pigs on commercial farms in the Boland.
Three thousand pigs were recently culled.