Shillong : Pig farmers from Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district have expressed deep disappointment and demanded an immediate ban on the entry of pigs from outside the state following reports alleging illegal collection of money from vehicles transporting livestock into Meghalaya.
The farmers claimed that after a deadly disease wiped out their pig population, they suspect the unrestricted entry of pigs from outside the state without proper health screening may have contributed to the spread of the infection.
Speaking to the media, farmers including Baisroy Lyngdoh Mawnai, Michael M. Suting, Samuel Hing, Baiakmenlang Syngkli, Milinda Jyrwa and others said they had taken loans under the state’s Piggery Mission to expand their farms. However, they suffered heavy financial losses after the disease killed all their pigs.
The farmers urged the Meghalaya government to strengthen surveillance and veterinary inspections at all entry points into the state to ensure that pigs brought from outside are properly examined before being allowed entry.
They also appealed to the government to waive their outstanding loans and provide financial assistance to help them recover from the losses caused by the outbreak.
The farmers further extended support to the Hills Farmers Union (HFU), which has raised concerns over allegations that livestock from outside the state were being allowed to enter Meghalaya after payment of money without adequate health inspections.