Slaughter of pigs "is over": almost 6 thousand carcasses found in Shanghai river
Shanghai (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The slaughter of pigs in Shanghai is "in essence" over: the Chinese authorities are struggling to appease the public, after the discovery to date of almost 6 thousand carcasses in the Huangpu River. The water quality of the river which flows through the district Sonjiang, has been restored in the city of Maogang - where the first carcases were found. However, many citizens still express concern and on Weibo, the "Chinese Twitter ", the hashtag "Huangpu River dead pigs" is trending.
According to Chinese officials the pigs could have come from Jiaxing, in the neighboring province of Zhejiang, but it is not yet certain. The marks on the ears of the dead animals indicate that the place of birth is Jiaxing, but they were not necessarily bred there. The cause of death is still uncertain, traces of porcine circovirus were found in some carcasses, a common disease among pigs that does not affect humans. Some Jiaxing officials have spoken of the possibility that the animals died of cold.
The Huangpu River is the main source of drinking water for Shanghai and because of this the authorities' guarantees is not enough for the population. Shi Liqin, a Weibo user writes: " Cadres and officials, we are willing to provide for you, but please don't let us die from poisoning. Otherwise who will serve you? Please think twice." Dora Wang, a businesswoman who lives in Jiuting, says she is still concerned: " The government's statement is some consolation, but I am still concerned." Two months ago, in fact in the district there was another "crisis", when an industry dumped chemical waste into the river. Those living in the area were forced to evacuate and the water supply was blocked for a period of time. "I wonder - she adds - about whether I and my family should only drink bottled water and should I install water-purifying equipment [in my house]."
Yang Jin, who works in a hospital in Songjiang, is less confident in government efforts to ensure the safety of food and water, " I don't think officials regard these problems seriously [...] nothing safe here".
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11/03/2013
