India-Swine flu takes itrs toll on farming.

INDIA-EFFECT OF SWINE FLU.

The live fattened pig, which traditionally commands a very high price during the summer season, has seen its worth plummet this time around, pork vendors around Panaji in the state of Goa have told Times of India.

"Summertime, is when live pigs are sold like hot cakes. It’s holiday time, and there are crowds from Mumbai eager to pick up Goan sausages in bulk too. Not so, this year," a pork vendor in Mapusa said. Caution amidst the swine flu scare has been the cause of falling sales, say pork vendors.

"The price of a live fattened pig – a local one – would be around 3,000 rupees (INR). Yorkshire pigs fetch even up to INR 12,000," a butcher said, adding, "This year, the demand has decreased and pig rearers are anxious to dispose off their stocks. Prices have come crashing down," he said.

Although, there have been claims of pig deaths in Siolim and other places, officials from the department of animal husbandry and veterinary services have strongly denied this.

"Such reports have appeared in a section of the press, but all we can say is that such claims have been manufactured out of thin air. There are absolutely no cases of pig deaths in Goa, and we have verified it. The pig deaths along with other livestock in Maharashtra could be cases of the heat wave sweeping across the western region," a senior animal husbandry official said.

Incidentally, meat vendors in Panaji have hiked the price of chicken from INR 82 to 89. Pork vendors have, however, maintained the price of pork and sausages.

The World Health Organisation categorically states on its webs ite that there is no confirmation of transmission of the flu between pigs and humans yet.