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 Beijing has reported more than 100 outbreaks of the disease, which
is fatal to pigs but not harmful to people, in 28 provinces and
regions since last August, causing turmoil in the $1 trillion
industry and related sectors.
China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs drew up the plan
which aims to encourage the trade of pigs and pig products within
the regions, after earlier measures distorted prices and the market.
The plan, which was outlined in a document reviewed by Reuters, was
sent to provincial governments and municipalities for their feedback
last week and it is not clear if it has already been approved.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs did not immediately
respond to a fax with questions on the document, which was issued on
Feb. 18 and requested feedback by Feb. 22.
In a separate document, Beijing also said it is targeting fewer
outbreaks of the disease in the first half of 2019 than in the
second half of last year.
Despite banning the movement of pigs out of infected provinces, the
disease, for which there is no cure or vaccine, has spread rapidly
and been reported in three new provinces over the last week,
including on large farms that are expected to have higher disease
prevention standards.
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Major Chinese frozen food producer Sanquan Food last week recalled
batches of dumplings after media reports said some had tested
positive for the African swine fever virus.
China's vice premier Hu Chunhua said on Tuesday that the situation
remained "very serious" and called for intensifying controls, a
Xinhua report on a government meeting said.
Under the proposal, disease prevention measures will be co-ordinated
by the region, rather than at a provincial level, with responsible
authorities also overseeing stable supplies.
Each region contains one of China's top pig-producing provinces,
which will ensure it is basically self-sufficient in pork, said the
document, which also included a map and data on the self-sufficiency
rate.
It proposes piloting the new system first in the "central south"
zone that comprises Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi and
Hainan.
This zone would then share its experience with the rest of the
country before the other regions proceed with the plan.
(Reporting by Dominique Patton and Hallie Gu. Additional reporting
by Beijing Newsroom; editing by Christian Schmollinger and Alexander
Smith)
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