As a result of the African swine fever in June 2019, the number of pigs in China was 25.8% lower than in June 2018. Meanwhile, the Chinese authorities understand that a tougher approach is needed to overcome the ASF crisis.

These figures were provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture of China (MARA). The Reuters news agency reported them, although no specific figures are provided.

These data look somewhat contradictory to the figures provided by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the news agency notes. The bureau said that in total, China produced 24.7 million tons of pork in the first 6 months of 2019, which is 5.5% less than a year earlier.

According to the bureau, the number of cattle in China would be reduced by 15% compared to last year to 347.61 million heads, as pigs died from the virus, and farmers refrained from replenishing stocks. The number of slaughtered pigs in the first 6 months of the year decreased by 6.2% to 313.46 million heads, according to the Bureau of Statistics.

Official reports of ASF outbreaks, rare and random, continue. MARA reported an outbreak on a small farm in Sichuan on Wednesday, July 17. In addition, the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) from Hubei Province reported an outbreak, the latest official report in this area is dated March 21.

In addition, at the beginning of July, there were reportedly 2 outbreaks in the southern province of Guangxi on farms 135 km apart. The Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant managed to visit a pig farmer in Hebei province, in the vicinity of Beijing.

The owner, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that the central authorities could promise to pay compensation, but it was the provincial authorities that would have to partially pay for it, despite the lack of funds. The result will be that many outbreaks are not reported.