According to An, his department will make the inoculation of pigs against the
disease compulsory in addition to the two existing compulsory vaccinations
against pig-borne bacteria and foot-and-mouth disease.
According to the two officials, however, no compensation will be granted to
farmers who now face difficulties selling their animals.
Zhong said the government could not compensate farmers if their animals die
from disease.
The government cannot afford the expenses, Zhong said, adding that normally
50,000 of around 5 million pigs raised in Ziyang die from disease every year.
"If the government compensates farmers 1,000 yuan (US$120) for each dead
animal, it will be a huge expenditure every year," Zhong said.
In Sichuan, which is known for animal husbandry, most farmers earn at least
part of their income from raising pigs.
For Wang Xingcheng, a farmer infected with the disease, two-thirds of his
family's income came from raising pigs, his daughter said.
Low-income families, who pay a lot for piglets, animal inoculations and feed,
suffer a huge loss if they are not compensated for being unable to sell or eat
their sick animals.
According to An, farmers in Ziyang sell around three-fifths of their
home-raised pigs for private slaughter or to small or medium-sized food
companies, who then trade the meat to markets. "One-fifth are killed and
consumed by farmers themselves," An said, adding that another portion was sold
to large companies engaged in meat export.
