Cattle smuggling from Cambodia to Vietnam

Vietnamese officials reported in late December that they are having to deal with the increasing problem of cattle being smuggled into the Mekong Delta region from Cambodia, according to the Vietnamese News Agency. They estimate between 200 and 300 cows and buffaloes are illegally imported from Cambodia to Vietnam each day. Traders are able to purchase cattle in Cambodia at prices 20-40% lower than in Vietnam. One cattle trader in Long An province said that many Vietnamese cattle dealers are making big profits from livestock smuggling, as well as risking the spread of diseases to local herds.