From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 15, no. 4, January 2001.

At last, Cabinet has decided to declare war on the pigs, which have been ravaging Tonga’s environment unchecked for the last 30 years.

Strategically, the war of pigs is wedged on two fronts, at the villages of the Western District of Tongatapu, and in the northern islands of Niuatoputapu and Tafahi.

Since the 1970s when pigs started to over-run villages and towns throughout Tonga, no one has taken on the responsibility for control. Instead of pigs being kept in an enclosure, people were forced to fence their homes to keep their neighbour’s free-roaming pigs from getting in, while pig-owners fenced their homes to keep their own pigs out.

There is optimism that if a victory can be won in the Western District of Tongatapu, and in Niuatoputapu and Tafahi, the desire for cleaner villages will spread to the rest of Tonga.

New law

On October 16 it became law that every pig owner in the Western District of Tongatapu, and in the villages in Niuatoputapu and the island of Tafahi shall keep their pigs in a clean secure enclosure, and ensure that they have sufficient food and water. Town officers will check for compliance.

Pig owners may release pigs from the enclosure  provided that they do not allow any pig to stray to neighbouring farm lands or into houses or anywhere except the immediate vicinity of their enclosures.

Trespassing pigs may be killed by the owner or occupier or any cultivated land or of any enclosed land,  provided that the owner, if known, shall be notified. Pig carcases may be disposed of if not claimed within one hour after it is killed.