The Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS), Nagaland, has directed all District Veterinary Officers (DVOs) to regulate and discourage the practice of feeding untreated or unregulated food waste, commonly known as swill, to pigs in both backyard and commercial farms across the State. The advisory follows concerns raised by Mercy For Animals India over unsafe pig-feeding practices observed in different parts of the country.

In its directive, AH&VS AH&VS has prohibited feeding untreated waste from hotels and restaurants, directed farms to follow recommended feeding practices by department or ICAR institutes, and asked veterinary officers to monitor compliance and create awareness among pig farmers.

The AH&VS cautioned that feeding untreated swill poses a high risk of spreading serious diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and urged all DVOs to sensitise pig farmers on the potential dangers associated with such practices.