Lunar New Year in China raises risks of worsening African swine fever crisis, minister says

Vice-agriculture minister Yu Kangzhen said on Wednesday that China’s sow herd rose 2.2 per cent in December compared with November

The Lunar New Year, China’s peak pork consuming season, falls on January 25 as million of people return home to celebrate the festival with their families

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China’s sow herd rose 2.2 per cent in December compared with November, according to the government. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:06pm, 8 Jan 2020Updated: 8:28pm, 17 Feb 2020

China’s race to boost pork supplies by increasing hog breeding has raised the risks of worsening the African swine fever crisis, the government said on Wednesday.

The African swine fever situation “is still severe and complex,” vice-agriculture minister Yu Kangzhen said in Beijing. “The risk of outbreaks will rise with the rapid increase in the number of live hogs.”

The rare show of candour by the Chinese government on a disease that has roiled the industry follows months of comments tamping down speculation that the situation was out of control.

It also affirms concerns that restocking herds when the disease is endemic could further delay a recovery.

[The African swine fever situation] is still severe and complex. The risk of outbreaks will rise with the rapid increase in the number of live hogs

Yu Kangzhen

According to Yu, China’s sow herd rose 2.2 per cent in December compared with November.