China has reported a series of African swine fever outbreaks in recent months despite the Chinese governments heightened measures in preventing its spread. The spread of the virus now threatens the long history of pork domestication in the country as the Year of the Pig approaches.
Experts proved that the virus will not affect humans contrary to the fear of the many it may result in fatalities to consumers. Pig domestication in China has a long history. It is as old as Chinese civilization itself. Historical records show that China has been domesticating pigs 5,000 to 8,000 years ago based on recovered artifacts that include remains of pigs and clay effigies of the animal uncovered from archaeological sites in different locations from Henan, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Liaoning. According to records, the pigs are not only for human consumption but it is also used in funerary rituals proven by unearthed entire skeletons of pigs found in pre-historical human graves.
According to records, castrating of boars are already practiced by the People of the Shang dynasty, at around 1600-1046BC, to make boars fatter and tastier. Documents from the Zhou dynasty includes poems and records, show how pigs were a measure of wealth for families which proves that pork has become the main source of meat for old China.
Pigs were part of state and social rituals in China. It was buried with its dead owner in the belief that it will give nourishment to the owner in the afterlife. According to records, King or the Son of Heaven has the sole right to sacrifice animals including cows, goats, and pigs to their ancestors and the divinities in heaven during the Zhou period. Only the members of the aristocracy and the noblemen can afford to sacrifice pigs and ordinary people used grains, fish, and fowl. Times pass by and the Chinese people have found ways of preparing pork.
The recent outbreaks of the African swine fever cause the Chinese to find an alternative for meat. The Chinese government extends extra effort in controlling the spread. The tradition of consuming pork, however, loosened the rules to ensure pork supply this holiday season.
On Dec 27, the agriculture ministry said that the country loosened the rules on the transportation of breeder pigs and piglets in areas that are affected by African swine fever. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said that the move was put to ensure pig production and pork supplies.
