Striving for 100% of large-scale livestock farms gaining biosecurity

Phu Tho People's Committee has just signed and issued the Plan for animal disease prevention and control in Phu Tho province in 2025 to specify tasks and solutions for disease prevention and control in livestock, poultry and aquatic products under the direction of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The objectives of the plan are to ensure practicality and disease safety; enhance responsibility, effectiveness and efficiency in leadership, direction and close coordination between levels and sectors from the province to the grassroots; solidify the responsibility of livestock farmers and the community to guarantee synchronous and effective implementation of tasks and solutions on disease prevention and control.

Relevant units need to proactively implement disease prevention and control measures for livestock, poultry and aquatic products, conduct frequent monitoring and detect diseases early, deal with disease outbreaks quickly, and minimize damage.

The plan helps to have disease well under control, prevent widespread, ensure stable and sustainable development of the livestock industry and protect public health. Disease prevention work for animals will be gradually socialized according to the principle of "disease prevention is key", and "disease prevention is first and foremost the responsibility of livestock farmers, livestock facility owners and businesses".

Phu Tho People's Committee aims to ensure that 100% of dangerous infectious disease outbreaks arising in the area are detected and handled promptly in accordance with regulations, not allowing large outbreaks to arise and spread, causing damage to production.

Particularly for animal rabies, this province strives for 100% of communes, wards and towns to manage and keep records of dog herds, have no deaths due to rabies, and put more effort so that the rate of dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies reaches over 75% of the total herd.

In the case of African swine fever, 100% of large-scale farms and 90% of small and medium-sized farms apply biosecurity measures in pig farming. As for other dangerous infectious diseases (bird flu, foot and mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, etc.), the vaccination rate must exceed 70% of the total herd.

The province also promotes the construction of facilities that are safe from animal diseases and livestock production areas in the direction of biosecurity to minimize the risk of damage caused by diseases, with the goal of 100% of large-scale livestock farms applying good biosecurity farming measures.

Phu Tho province's plan also mentions the assignment of the police force in close coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, relevant departments and branches, and People's Committees of districts, cities and towns. The goal is to strengthen inspection and strictly handle livestock and poultry farming activities that cause environmental pollution or pose a risk of spreading disease.

Regarding the prevention and control of African swine fever, the Prime Minister has just issued Directive No. 14/CT-TTg requesting relevant agencies and localities to focus on drastic and synchronous implementation of prevention and control solutions.

A recent report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shows that since the beginning of the year, 1,452 outbreaks of African Swine Fever have occurred nationwide in 1,103 communes of 48 provinces and cities under Central. A total of 81,030 pigs are forced to be discarded, 2.6 times higher in comparison to the same period in 2023.

On the other hand, Typhoon No. 3, 4 and 6 have caused severe damage to agricultural production in general and livestock production in particular. The African swine fever epidemic and storms have negatively affected the livestock industry, food supply, and consumer price index, especially at the end of the year and the Lunar New Year 2025.

In order to promptly and effectively prevent African swine fever, restore products, and ensure food supply, the Prime Minister's Directive requires Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Government agencies, and Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and cities under Central to focus on implementing drastic and synchronous solutions to prevent and control African swine fever.

The Prime Minister's Directive clearly states: “The Prime Minister will hold Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and cities under Central accountable if an outbreak of African swine fever occurs in their area of management”.