The Department of Agriculture has sought the help of foreign laboratories to confirm the cause of the increase in mortality rates of pigs in the country, Secretary William Dar said on Monday.
Dar said the Agriculture department has received reports from the Bureau of Animal Industry of an increased rate of deaths among pigs raised by farmers in their backyards. An increase of at least two percent was recorded in the affected areas, the reports said. "We directed BAI to conduct further confirmatory laboratory tests, including sending blood samples to foreign laboratories to ascertain the cause of the animals' death," Dar said.
The Agriculture chief said the agency was on top of the situation, adding he was assured by the hog industry that there is enough supply in the country. He also issued an appeal to the sellers and raisers.