Bac Ninh: Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries continue to grow during the pandemic

On the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Traditional Day of Vietnam Veterinary Industry (July 11, 1950 - July 11, 2021), Mr. Nguyen Huu Tho, Head of Bac Ninh Sub-Department of Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries stated that in the first 6 months of 2021, the total number of buffalos in Bac Ninh were 2,857, which reached nearly 106% of the goal and increased 2.6% over the same period last year. There were also over 300,000 pigs, which is 7% over the goal and up about 25%.The number of poultry was over 5.6 million heads, achieving approximately 99% of the goal, which increased about 6% compared to the same period in 2020. 

The total output of live animals for slaughter is estimated at 43,680 tons, reaching 54% of the goal, an increase of approximately 40% compared to the same period in 2020. The value of livestock production reached VND 1,729 billion, accounting for 52% of the goal, increasing 10% compared to the same period in 2020.

Aquaculture production area is estimated at over 5,100ha, which has already achieved the goal of this year. The number of cages in the river is 2,267 cages, up over 10%. Total seafood production reached over 19,000 tons, approximately the same period in 2020.

A major factor that contributed to these achievements was the direction of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Committee, Party Committee, Board of Directors of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, along with the support of other related agencies and departments. 

Over the years, the leadership team and all officers, civil servants and employees in Bac Ninh Sub-Department of Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries have always united overcoming all difficulties to successfully completed political tasks in the prevention and control of animal diseases, protection of the health of livestock and aquatic animals, assuring food safety, eventually making an important contribution to massively development of the province's agricultural sector . 

However, due to the ongoing outbreaks of diseases such as African Swine Fever, Avian Influenza and Eczema, the national budget seemed to suffer from a great loss. 

In addition, small-scale livestock production also accounts for a high proportion, along with the direction of vaccination and disease prevention is not yet being synchronized since the district-level Livestock and Veterinary Medicine Station merged into the Agricultural Service Center under the District People's Committee. Therefore, the work of re-herding, increasing the herd of pigs, vaccination, disease prevention and control in the province is still limited.

With the results achieved in the first 6 months of 2021, in the coming period, the Bac Ninh Sub-Department of Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries sets a number of key tasks as follows:

Advise the Provincial People's Committee and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct and guide localities to continue to implement synchronously and drastically solutions to prevent and control diseases, especially African swine fever and dermatomyositis in buffaloes and cows. In the meantime, effectively prevent the risk of infection with Avian Influenza A/H5N8 and other highly pathogenic strains of Avian Influenza virus entering the province.

Advising the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to submit to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and approval to establish The Livestock, Veterinary and Fishery Station under the Sub-Department in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Animal Health, along with the guidance of Prime Minister Government in Decision No. 414/QD-TTg dated March 22, 2021 approving the Project "Strengthening the capacity of the system of specialized veterinary management agencies at all levels, period 2021 - 2030" and Directive No. 34-CT/TU of the Bac Ninh Provincial Party Committee to ensure the force to organize epidemic prevention and control.

Prepare adequate supplies, chemicals and vaccines as the preparation of vaccination and disease prevention. Inspect, urge and prevent epidemics, guide localities to re-herd and increase pig herds in order to ensure biosecurity and safety.

Directing professional staff to strengthen monitoring of facilities, organizing monitoring samples for early detection, timely warning, and handling immediately upon detection of disease clusters.

Coordinate with the Economic Department (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development), Agricultural Service Centers to direct and effectively implement livestock statistics, vaccination for cattle, Poultry, sanitation, disinfection, environmental disinfection according to the plan and direction of the Provincial People's Committee, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Guide livestock production establishments to register to participate in the construction of disease-free facilities, promote quarantine, transport, control slaughter, and inspect the hygiene of animals and animal products.

Regularly send staff to participate in training courses to improve their professional qualifications, in order to meet massive requirements. On the other hand, strengthen communication in the media about the epidemic situation so that farmers can take initiative in epidemic prevention and control measures.

Author: Nguyen Huan - NongnghiepVietnam News