HCM CITY (VNS) – Agencies in HCM City and Ha Noi and the provinces of Dong Nai, Vinh Long, Hung Yen and Thanh Hoa plan to conduct investigations into the pig breeders’ use of banned chemicals in animal feed.
Tran Van Quang, head of the Veterinary Department of Dong Nai Province, said that six of more than 20 pig-breeding farms that were inspected in the province had been using the banned lean-meat additive Sulbutamol.
The price hike of pork had prompted breeders to use the chemical in animal feed, he told the meeting organised by the Department of Livestock Production and the HCM City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in HCM City last Friday.
Pig breeders use the chemical to feed animals to ensure that meat is leaner and the animal grows faster. The chemical also dissolves fat and builds muscle.
However, eating pork with the chemical will increase the heart rate and blood pressure.
Nguyen Xuan Duong, deputy director of the Department of Livestock Production, said the use of banned substances in pig breeding had occurred for many years.
The Government had made efforts to control the problem, but the current sanctions were not strong enough to deter violators from repeating the offence, he said.
Duong said localities should conduct education campaigns to raise awareness among pig breeders about the adverse impact of banned substances.
If pig farms were discovered using banned substance, their herd of pigs should be destroyed, he said.
Nguyen Tri Cong, chairman of the Dong Nai Animal Breeding Association, suggested authorities that they should impose strict penalties and publicise the names of violators. – VNS
Đăng ký: VietNam News