Action Plan to prevent the African Swine Fever.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt during his keynote address .
Photo: Eyespy Radio
Samoa's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (M.A,F) have received an Action Plan compiled by a collaboration between M.A.W.G (Market Access Working Group, the regional Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (P.H.A.M.A. Plus) programme, Quarantine Samoa, to ensure that Samoa is protected against the African Swine Fever.
The African Swine Fever is a highly contagious virus affecting pigs, the disease's mortality rate can reach %100 because there is currently no vaccine or treatment against this new threat.
The Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Quarantine Samoa, Segialii Marie, during her report presented at the event stated that all varieties of pigs are susceptible to the fever. "There are two ways with which the African Swine Fever can be transmitted. It can be transmitted directly when you consume pork products affected with the virus or indirectly when you touch these affected products and then spread it amongst the people around you," she said.
She also added that the African Swine Fever was first discovered back in 2018, and that it has devastated pork meat industries in countries around the world such as China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea,Timor Leste, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, India, Malaysia, Bhutan, Thailand, and Nepal.
The African Swine Fever Action Plan is set to better assist Samoa in creating preventive measures against the virus, and also ensure that pig farmers and their livestock are well protected from the African Swine Flu.
P.H.A.M.A Plus Member, Asuao Kirifi Pouono, stated that the plan will be implemented in all points of entry in Samoa such as the International Airport in Faleolo and the Matautu Port in Apia.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt during his keynote address conveyed that "prevention is better than cure". "This is one of the Government of Samoa's goals, to ensure that our nation can sustain and provide its own meat and food supply. And with the Action Plan we have received from P.H.A.M.A. Plus, Samoa will be better equipped to combat the African Swine Flu.
One pig farmer who was present at the handing over ceremony, 64-year-old Evelimoni Faitaua from the village of Toamua, stated during an interview with Eyespy Radio that he welcomes the Action Plan from P.H.A.M.A, as it will mean that his pigs will be safe from this deadly new threat.
"I am pleased that Samoa is ready for the African Swine Fever thanks to the Action Plan from P.H.A.M.A Plus," he said.