KOTA KINABALU: The 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 (ASF) to the pig industry in the country.
Of the total, about 1.16 tonnes of pig products such as pork meat, ham, sausage and pork skin were seized at the Kota Kinabalu International airport here this year.
These comprised imported products from China (152 cases), the Philippines (47), Singapore (32) and Korea (29).As of July 4, ASF six outbreaks were recorded in China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea Utara and Laos.
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 (Nov 12, 2018), Poland and Belgium (Jan 17), Thailand and Vietnam (Jan 23) and Cambodia (April 4).“In Malaysia, pig farming is a RM3.6 billion industry.
The country produces 213,000 metric tonne of pork,” he said during an awareness campaign on the virus at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
As for other preventive measures, the department will also increase luggage inspections at entry points, especially of passengers from countries with ASF outbreaks.
In Sabah, the swine industry is worth RM220.35 million with 44 farms
The state is almost 100 per cent self-sufficient in pork.