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Residents of some villages in Vitsyebsk region ordered to cull their hogs

 

Residents of villages in the Chashniki district, Vitsyebsk region, have been ordered to cull their hogs before August 1, Mikhail Milchanin, deputy chairman of the district executive committee, told BelaPAN.

The official explained that the measure was needed to prevent cases of African swine fever at a large hog farm in the district. Hog owners who reside within three kilometers of the farm have received the order, he said. They will receive no compensation from authorities but will be allowed to use the animals' meat.

The district authorities warned that those ignoring the order would have their hogs taken away and paid 18,337 rubels per kilogram in compensation. Those who will slaughter their hogs themselves will be entitled to buy up to 10 kilograms of pork from the farm at a discount every month.

Belarus’ first-ever officially registered case of the virus was reported in the Iwye district, Hrodna region, in June. Cases of the virus were later confirmed at a state-owned hog farm close to Vitsyebsk. // BelaPAN