By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 27: Sarawak has imposed an immediate ban on the importation of live pigs, pork, and pork products from Peninsular Malaysia following an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Kuala Langat, Selangor.
Minister for Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom stated that the move is necessary to safeguard Sarawak’s swine industry from the highly contagious virus, which poses a severe threat to pig farming.
“We only allow the importation of pork and pork products from countries free of ASF and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and the processing plants must be approved by my ministry through DVS Sarawak with a valid import permit,” he explained.
Dr Rundi also clarified that Sarawak has never permitted the importation of live pigs and pork from Peninsular Malaysia as the region is not free from FMD.
He further warned that importing pork and related products without a valid import permit is a violation of Section 8 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, with all illegal products subject to confiscation.
The Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (DVS Sarawak) will continue to enforce strict biosecurity measures to prevent the entry of ASF and other livestock diseases into the region. — DayakDaily
