Recovery of pig herd showing positive signs

China has confidence this year's pork production will rebound close to the level in the years before outbreaks of African swine fever, and despite the impact of the novel coronavirus, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Thursday.

Yang Zhenhai, director of the ministry's Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine Bureau, said at a news conference that thanks to recent policies and a favorable market, the recovery of the pig herd has begun to show some positive signs.

Monitoring results showed that the stock of breeding sows in the country has increased for four consecutive months, up 8 percent from September last year, he said.

The ministry will continue to ramp up support to make sure the country's pork production returns to as close to the normal level, he added.

Measures include stepping up efforts to tackle feed supply shortages, transportation inconvenience and help with resumption of the slaughtering factories, as well as smooth sales channels to ensure the operation of whole industry chain, he said.

Yang also noted that agricultural authorities will work closely with financial departments to provide more monetary support, such as loans with subsidized interest.

The ministry also will assist with new construction and expansion projects for large-scale pig-raising enterprises, which facilitate the production of local individual hog farms, he said.

More technical guidance will be given to hog farmers in a bid to enhance their breeding management and strengthen their biological safety protection, he said, adding that the ministry also will strengthen the monitoring mechanism, including informing farmers of monthly data, to better guide their production.