Malaysia sets stringent checks against ASF disease
Stricter border controls have imposed by Malaysian authorities in a desperate attempt to keep away the African swine fever (ASF) from entering its territory. The risk is considered to be elevated due to the Chinese New Year festive season that is starting this week.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry has directed the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) to conduct stringent checks at all entry points nationwide, especially in this period to ensure that pork and pork products are free of the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus.
To date, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry has issued a ban on the import of pork and pork-based products from 10 countries namely China, Laos, Poland, Belgium, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Myanmar, South Korea, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Last year, 2,497.91 kg of pork and 3,232.58 kg of pork products were seized at the air, land and sea entrances, and the confiscated items were either burned or buried in accordance with the standard operating procedures.
Currently, the disease is present in China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Noth Korea, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Myanmar. China and Vietnam are the far worst affected countries in the region, with losses reported in their pig inventory of 30% (Vietnam) and 50% (China).
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