Sarawak bans Sabah pigs, pork

KUCHING: Sarawak is enforcing an import ban on all pigs, pork and pork products from Sabah with immediate effect after African Swine Fever (ASF) was reported to have been detected in eight of 13 pigs sampled from the Pitas district there.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said the ban, made under Section 8 of the Sarawak Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, is to ensure Sarawak remains free from ASF.

“The public are advised not to buy or bring in any pork or pork products from Sabah or any neighbouring countries.

“Anyone who contravenes this Import Ban Order or imports any animal or animal products without permit can be fined up to RM50,000 and jailed for two years, or both,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Uggah, who is Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister, said the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak will also tighten biosecurity measures in the state especially in Limbang division which borders Sabah, as well as intensify ASF disease surveillance throughout Sarawak.

According to him, DVS Sarawak has conducted several engagement and awareness sessions on ASF with relevant stakeholders such as farmers, importers, Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad and government agencies including the Customs Department, Immigration Department, port authorities and local councils.

He said DVS Sarawak would also step up awareness campaigns and regulatory measures to ensure the virus does not enter the state.

“Sarawak has a total population of 30,000 sows producing 455,000 porkers annually worth RM455 million. It is DVS Sarawak’s responsibility to ensure that the state continues to be free from animal diseases which are zoonotic and of economic importance.

"DVS Sarawak will continue to enforce the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 to ensure pork and pork products imported are from ASF-free countries,” said Uggah.

On Saturday, DVS Sabah linked the recent deaths of scores of pigs in Pitas to a possible outbreak of the deadly ASF.

Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also Sabah Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, said that further tests would have to be carried out to confirm it.