Chinese criminals spread swine fever

Criminals in China have deliberately spread African swine fever. In this way they want to force the farmers to sell the pigs for a low price, after which the group sells the (sometimes infected) pork in other regions. The Chinese government said this in a statement.

A group of criminals in China deliberately caught African swine fever in recent months Scattered† In this way they can convince the farmers in a certain region that they can sell the pigs better. They then smuggle the (often infected) meat from these pigs to another province, where it is sold for a record price as 'healthy meat'. The profit margin can reach up to 1.000 yuan per pig (€128,40).

Significant amounts intercepted
The report from the Chinese ministry shows that the gangs are taking considerable action to spread the animal disease. For example, drones are used to drop infected items on a farm. In addition, the gangs sometimes create the appearance of an outbreak by laying dead pigs along the roads. Once the criminals have bought the pigs, they smuggle the animals or meat to other regions, despite a ban on transporting pork or livestock between provinces.

In the southwestern province of Yunnan alone, authorities in China have already intercepted 10.000 live pigs destined for other provinces. Several of these animals were infected with African swine fever. The government also reported that a certain gang had smuggled 1 pigs from a province in one day.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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