By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, April 23: Fresh pork supply in Miri division will return to normal on Monday (April 25) with the reopening of Miri City Council’s (MCC) Krokop abattoir after nearly three weeks of closure following the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF).
This was disclosed by the minister in-charge of Miri Divisional Disaster Management Committee (Miri DDMC) Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin today after attending a meeting with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Miri divisional office.
The ASF contaminated facility was sealed for up to 60 days for a thorough cleaning and sanitisation from April 6 to 24.
“With the latest inspection report presented by Miri Veterinary officer on April 21 during the Veterinary Health and Compliance meeting, the committee has agreed to allow the re-opening (of the Krokop abattoir) on April 25,” Lee told the press members.
However, the reopening of this abattoir is subjected to strict compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure that pigs slaughtered are healthy and safe for public consumption, he pointed out.
According to Miri DVS , a total 904 animals of various categories from the commercial farms in Miri division were culled between March 9 to April 21 this year, while five licensed commercial pig farms have been closed within that period to prevent the spread of the ASF.
On whether compensations were given to the affected commercial pig farms, Miri DVS officer Dr Sylmie Al-Harir informed that they have come up with a write-up on compassionate assistance regarding the matter.
“At the moment, DVS already came up with a write-up but it is not called compensation but a compassionate assistance. Allow us to finish with the write-up and we’ll see how to go from there,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Lee, who is also Transport Minister, has also urged unlicensed pig farms to apply for licensing with the Miri Divisional DVS.
“We are calling on the unlicensed pig farm owners to apply for a license, as the processing fee is only RM10, while annual fee is only RM50,” he said.— DayakDaily
