Moldovan PM demands effective interaction of authorities in charge not to allow spread of swine fever

Chisinau, 15 June /MOLDPRES/ – Prime Minister Pavel Filip has convened today the meeting of the Commission for Emergency Situations (CSU) on outbreak of African swine fever detected in a household in village Mereni, Anenii Noi district, the government's communication and protocol department has reported.

Despite outbreak was localised, Prime Minister drew attention to danger of this disease for the pig breeding industry in Moldova. "It is located an important part of pig breeding industry in Anenii Noi and Criuleni area, and affecting big pig breeding centres would mean lack of meat on domestic market and shift to imports, which would mean higher prices of these products" outlined Pavel Filip.

The Premier called for effective cooperation of the authorities in charge for preventing spread of swine fever, especially between the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA), Customs Service (SV) and Border Police (PF), since all cases of it are "imported" into Moldova, mainly from Ukraine.

At their turn, officials informed that it was localised the disease outbreak in Mereni, being taken precautions in region to avoid virus spread. Among them: installation of filters for disinfection of transport units, inventory of local animals, establishment of a strict regime of movement of animals and removal of meat products from region. There were intensified customs controls at border, as to prevent introduction of contaminated meat and animals in Moldova, there were installed additional filters and there were carried out continuous info campaigns.

In this context, Pavel Filip emphasised the need for broad communication on risks of African swine fever, through customs information panels, flyers and active media involvement. Also, PM proposed creation of a working group with participation of all authorities with competences in it, as to facilitate cooperation between them.

In other range of ideas, head of Executive talked about recent heat and drought and has called on authorities to ensure proper functioning of tents to provide help to citizens, emergency response services, check for food markets, restrict truck traffic on unadjusted roads, as well as ensuring safety of children in summer camps.

The PM also referred to the need to facilitate land irrigation, so that agricultural crops not to suffer.