The government has dispatched the first batch of the RM17.6 million remaining in the JE trust fund to help pig farmers who were affected by a deadly viral outbreak in Negeri Sembilan three years ago.

Thirty farmers will collect their cheques from the state's veterinary department today, while the remaining 976 will receive their compensation before Chinese New Year next month.

The money will be distributed on a standard rate of RM13.10 per pig culled but farmers who culled the pig themselves will be paid an additional RM1.50 per pig.

Prior to this, the government compensated the farmers RM120 per pig culled for the first 2,000 pigs and RM85 for each subsequent pig culled. An additional RM3 were given to those who carried out their own culling.

Nipah virus disaster rescue and liaison committee vice-chairperson PC Lai said today the farmers were grateful to the government for dispersing the fund.

Please login to read full story