Merck Animal Health has donated US$30,000 (¥2.3 million) to three veterinary and farmer associations in Japan to support the recovery of the Japanese animal sector following the earthquake and tsunami that struck the country in March 2011.
The disaster had an immense impact on the healthcare situation of the pig and livestock industries, as well as the pet sector. Merck Animal Health has made its donation available to three important stakeholders in the Japanese animal sector for further coordination: the Japan Veterinary Medical Association, the Japan Pork Producers Association and the Regional Livestock Industry Promotional Council.
The Japanese Pork Producers Association and the Japanese Livestock Industry Promotion Council will allocate support based on the degree of damage in the afflicted region: ruined barns, feed factories and buildings affected by the evacuate order away from the disaster area will all be areas of focus. “After the international community has provided support during the acute phase of the disaster, for example via shipment of emergency supplies of veterinary medicines and the activities of first responders, it is equally important to continue to support the Japanese animal health and associated sector in order to accelerate the recovery of this economically important category," said Leopoldo Nanni, vice president of the Asia Pacific and sub-Sahara Africa division at Merck Animal Health. “We trust that via this donation we can contribute to the Japanese society, enabling them to overcome this difficult situation.”
