Sri Lanka’s Department of Animal Production and Health has announced new measures through a Gazette notification aimed at easing some restrictions previously imposed due to the African swine fever outbreak. Dr. Hemali Kothalawala, the Director General of the department, indicated that transportation of healthy animals has now been authorized.
“Based on the current situation in the field, there has been a slight decrease in the spread of the disease this week, and it’s essential to protect the industry,” Dr. Kothalawala explained. The new regulations, effective from November 4 until further notice, allow the transport of non-infected animals that possess a health report from a veterinarian.
“These animals can be slaughtered in slaughterhouses registered with the provincial office of the Department of Animal Production and Health. An authorized officer will certify and grant this registration,” she added. Furthermore, the Gazette stipulates that slaughterhouses and meat refrigeration facilities must be registered. Processing and selling meat from non-infected animals is now allowed, enabling restaurants to offer meat confirmed to be disease-free.
In related news, the Western Province Department reported that around 50 percent of pigs in the area have perished due to the outbreak, with the Gampaha District experiencing the highest mortality rate.
