Abstract
A study was carried out between January and July 2016 to investigate the sickpig trade network which is believed to have been operating in Northern Vietnam for decades. From early 2015, many warnings about the existence of this illegal network have been published in local newspapers, causing great concern among consumers and authorities. The aim of this study was to investigate the commodity chain to identify the trade network, evaluate the risk of disease dissemination, and propose preventive solutions. The results showed that the sick-pig commodity chain included farmers, middlemen, slaughterhouses and consumers in the three studied districts (Van Lam, Van Giang and My Hao, in Hung Yen Province). The qualitative risk assessment determined that middlemen and slaughterhouses were the main actors in this uncontrolled chain. Appropriate administrative regulations, regardless of the importance of these actors, would be crucial to limit negative effects of sick-pig products. Furthermore, proper intervention would remove threats to other farms and long-term effects on human health.
Highlights
In Vietnam, swine production plays a vital role in the rural economy
Risks for disease spread from animal to animal The risk level for disease dissemination from each actor in the sick-pig trade network was evaluated through the number of links with other actors, the amount of input and output products, and the potential hazards caused by the activities
Despite the fact that distributors appeared to be at a busy crossroad, which linked all slaughterhouses to consuming destinations, they carried a lower risk of disease dissemination to animal farms because transportation routes were set apart
Summary
In Vietnam, swine production plays a vital role in the rural economy. Pork accounts for 74–80% of total meat consumption (Nga et al, 2013). Overall pork consumption has increased by 7% a year and the swine population is expected to reach 34.7 million in 2020, i.e. an increase of 7.6 million compared to 2011 (Department of Livestock Production; MARD, 2017). High pork consumption is reflective of an eating tradition. For the majority of Vietnamese families, pork is the favorite protein source, cooked for both regular dishes in daily meals and special dishes at annual festivals. Pork is a crucial food to process numerous Vietnamese specialties, e.g. fermented pork rolls (nem chua), rousong or pork floss (ruôc), pork jerky (thịt khô) and so on
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