KUCHING, Feb 25: The foul smell from the pig carcass disposal site at Jalan Oya, Sibu can occur if heavy rain falls a few days after the disposal activity.
Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom in stating this, assured that the Sibu Veterinary Department and Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sibu have followed standard protocol in determining the location of disposal site and its prescribed depth.
He said the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (DVSS) has been instructed to take follow-up actions on the location of pig slaughter.
On the issue of pig carcasses being dumped in Sungai Rait, Miri, Dr Rundi said DVSS found 85 pig carcasses believed to have been infected with the African Swine Fever (ASF) on Feb 19 during an investigation.
He said DVSS had taken samples for laboratory testing and will take action against breeders who irresponsibly threw the carcasses into the river.
“The Miri Divisional Veterinary Services Office has been instructed to take further action to address this problem and ensure it does not recur.
“The Miri Division Veterinary Services Office also conductedd active sampling operations to commercial pig farms in Miri Division and until Feb 24, where a total of 8 farms involving 310 samples were taken and sent to the Sarawak Veterinary Diagnosis Laboratory for ASF detection,” he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, Dr Rundi urged pig farmers all around Sarawak to remain vigilant and to improve the bio-security, hygiene and environment of respective farms to avoid the spread of ASF.
Any deaths among pigs should be reported to the nearest veterinary office, and leftover food from kitchens should be cooked for at least 30 minutes before being fed to pigs in farms.
“The community need not worry because the disease only infects pigs and is not zoonotic. The pork available in the market is safe to eat,” he added. — DayakDaily
