Efforts against African swine fever take priority

China will strengthen supervision over the cross-border trade of animals amid efforts to contain the spread of African swine fever, according to a guideline issued by the State Council on Wednesday.

International cooperation in combating the illegal smuggling of live hogs is expected to intensify in the future as the country continues its fight against the unauthorized transport of animals and animal products across its borders, the guideline said.

Meanwhile, close attention will be paid to global outbreaks of the disease - which is highly contagious among pigs and often fatal but is not transmittable to humans - by way of stepping up the country's surveillance and precautionary efforts.