Mawkynrew MLA seeks temporary ban on outside pigs as prices crash, minister assures action in two weeks

Shillong, Jul 2: NPP Mawkynrew MLA Banteidor Lyngdoh on Thursday urged the state government to impose a temporary ban on the entry of pigs from outside Meghalaya, citing disease outbreaks and a sharp fall in prices that have hit local farmers and livestock rearers.

Speaking after a meeting with Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Sanbor Shullai, Lyngdoh said the minister had assured him the matter would be taken to the Chief Minister’s level within two weeks.

“I thank Minister Sanbor Shullai because our meeting was very fruitful,” Lyngdoh said. “We discussed many issues related to the difficulties faced by our farmers, especially those who rear livestock.”

He said the discussions, held in the presence of department officers, were “extensive” and “satisfying” given the seriousness of the situation.

“This is a very serious matter since it affects pig deaths and impacts farmers and livestock rearers, which has affected pig prices across the entire State,” he said.

According to Lyngdoh, pig rearers who earlier sold animals for ₹17,000 to ₹18,000 are now forced to sell at ₹11,000 or ₹10,000 due to disease outbreaks linked to pigs brought from outside.

“Livestock rearers themselves have expressed the same, because the spread of the disease in our State is due to pigs coming from outside,” he said. “Therefore, we strongly insist that, by all means, the entry of pigs from outside must be stopped for now and should not be allowed.”

Lyngdoh said the minister had assured that he would take up with the government the need to temporarily stop the inflow and issue a notification to prevent further spread of disease and pig deaths.

“The Minister has given the assurance that a notification will be issued to impose a temporary ban for now,” he said. “We said that by all means, it should be banned for at least 3-4 months first, and then we will see how things are after that.”

He added that the issue had to be escalated beyond the department level.

“It is something very encouraging, and we will wait for these two weeks for it to be taken to the Chief Minister’s level, because the matter is a bit serious and cannot be resolved at the minister’s level alone,” Lyngdoh said.

Pushing for a ‘local for local’ approach, the MLA said the state should promote consumption of pigs reared within Meghalaya.

“Our desire, and mine as a representative, is that we need to adopt ‘local for local’, which means we should buy only pigs reared within our own State. If we try this, it will benefit the entire State,” he said.

Lyngdoh added that the discussion would continue, with the minister promising a thorough review.

“This discussion does not end here because the Minister has promised to thoroughly review this matter, since the impact on farmers and livestock rearers has been severe,” he said.

“It was very encouraging because we were able to discuss and convey the difficulties faced by our farmers and livestock rearers, and I believe everything will proceed smoothly,” Lyngdoh added.

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