Malaysia’s Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has confiscated three tonnes of pork and meat products, as part of measures to prevent the spread of African swine fever in the country.
The New Straits Times reported that of the total, about 1.16 tonnes of pig products such as pork meat, ham, sausage and pork skin were seized at Kota Kinabalu International airport.
These consisted of imported products from China (152 cases), the Philippines (47), Singapore (32) and Korea (29).
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin said Malaysia was free of the disease and that the virus would not spread to humans.
“As a preventive measure, DVS has issued letters on banning pig imports from China, since November 12, 2018; Poland and Belgium since January 17, 2019; Thailand and Vietnam since January 23, 2019; and Cambodia since April 4, 219. In Malaysia, pig farming is a RM3.6 billion industry – the country produces 213,000 metric tonnes of pork.”
As for other preventive measures, the department will also increase luggage inspections at entry points, especially of passengers from countries with ASF outbreaks.
