Bali: Indonesian authorities have ordered pigs in Bali no longer be fed airline leftover food to protect them from a rapidly spreading bout of African swine fever.

Local media reports say more than 34,000 pigs have died in the isolated North Sumatra area and authorities are not taking any chances with some 760,000 pigs in Bali.

A competitor tries to attract a piglet during a pig calling competition during Toba Pig and Pork Festival, in Muara, North Sumatra, Indonesia. African Swine Fever has killed thousands of pigs in the area.Credit:AP

Bali livestock and animal health agency head Wayan Mardiana said the disease has spread where herds are fed surplus food from airlines as well as from hotels, restaurants and catering, prompting a ban on the practice in Bali.

"Currently we have forbidden such practice. We worked with relevant parties to ensure all airlines leftover foods that contain pork to be destroyed.

"Customs will check and destroy all food containing pork carried by passengers, such as from China," he said,

He said 25 Bali pig farms with a total of 10,000 pigs which are fed the leftovers were considered at higher risk.

African swine fever has decimated herds in China, Thailand and several other countries. The disease is limited to domestic and wild pigs. The Australian Department of Agriculture says it kills 80 per cent of infected animals.

"It had no effect so far on tourism in Bali, because it has no effect on humans," Putu Astawa, head of Bali tourism department, said.



Source: Read Full Article