By Bisola Adeyemo
Following an outbreak of swine fever disease in Ebonyi state, pig farmers have been banned from selling pigs.
The ban came after three hundred and eleven (311) pigs were reported dead in a piggery farm in the state.
Chief Igwe Edeze who spoke to Leadership, on the number of Pig deaths recorded so far said that he lost 250 pigs to the African swine fever while Mrs. Josephine Igwe also lost 12 pigs.
He stated that another farmer in Izzi local government who did not disclose his name, lost 30 pigs to the disease.
Chief Edeze said that to prevent further spread of the virus and the dangers associated with it, “all visitation to the piggery farm is banned.”
Chairman of the Association, Chief Mike Udenwe stated this while briefing journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital on the outbreak of the disease.
He called on Governor David Umahi, the state ministry of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Agricultural Organization to immediately come to the farmers aid to halt further spread of the disease.
He warned against consumption of pig killed by the virus and urged farmers to immediately bury pigs that were killed by the African swine fever.