Guwahati, June 28: In a bid to curb the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), the Assam government has issued a stringent Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regulating the transport of live pigs across and within the state. The SOP outlines specific rules regarding documentation, hygiene measures, designated routes, and enforcement penalties, with an emphasis on biosecurity.
The SOP’s core objective is to prevent, eradicate, and control ASF outbreaks while allowing limited and controlled transportation of pigs. One of the key measures is the restriction of pig transport to a single inter-state check post—Srirampur in Kokrajhar district—for vehicles entering Assam from ASF-free states or abroad en route to other northeastern states.
Transportation of live pigs through the Boxirhat check post in Dhubri district is strictly prohibited. Any vehicle found violating this rule will be ordered to return immediately and penalized for breaching the SOP.
All consignments of pigs must be accompanied by proper documentation and follow the guidelines of the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Vehicles must also adhere to the National Action Plan’s (NAP) biosecurity protocols, including mandatory disinfection and random testing at check posts.
The SOP specifically permits the transport of breeding stock (piglets) from ASF-free states for breeding purposes only. Each piglet must weigh no more than 20 kg if imported from other Indian states and between 40 to 60 kg if sourced from abroad.
Within Assam, intra-district and inter-district transportation of live pigs is permitted to support local pig farmers. However, this is conditional on strict compliance with the biosecurity measures laid out in the SOP.
Meanwhile, the ban on transporting pigs from other states and abroad for consumption within Assam remains in effect until further notice. Transport of pigs via railways has also been temporarily banned, effective immediately.
Additionally, the SOP prohibits any night-time movement of vehicles carrying live pigs through inter-state check posts, tightening surveillance and enforcement during off-hours to prevent unauthorized entry and possible spread of ASF.
The new SOP reflects Assam’s heightened urgency in dealing with the persistent threat of ASF, which has previously caused widespread losses in the state’s pig farming sector.
