KUCHING: The Sarawak government has taken steps to curb the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) since last year.
Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development (MANRED) Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said this was carried out by the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVS).
He said the department is still actively engaging in awareness campaigns, especially in rural areas and commercial farms.
“Engagement sessions and campaigns were held with commercial farm breeders and association breeders.
“This session has been held three times in Kuching/Samarahan/Serian, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri/Limbang since the first case was reported in Lawas in 2021,” he said.
Dr Rundi was responding to DAP Sarawak Chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s media statement regarding the status and control of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Sarawak.
He also said the ban on imported pork and pork-based products from ASF-infected areas has been enforced and implemented under Section 9 (1) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999.
“However, smuggling activities and non-compliance with this prohibition are still going on.
“A total of 210 kg of pork-based products were seized upon arrival at the airport in Sarawak until May 2022.
“Pork-based products such as canned pork stew are allowed to enter with the consignment conditions, the products are to undergo a Hold-Test-Release to guarantee imported products are free from ASF.
“As of August 2, two consignments have been rejected due to positive detection of ASF virus contamination by laboratory tests.”
According to Dr Rundi, to curb the spread of ASF from one division to another, Section 36 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 has been implemented and livestock movement control has been introduced.
“Test and Slaughter Procedure has been implemented where this procedure only allows registered pig farms and movement permit allowed to send pigs to slaughterhouse/district councils respectively to be tested and marked before slaughter for sale.
“Continuous monitoring of slaughtering activities in unregistered abattoirs is also conducted.
“As of August, four compounds have been issued for offences under Section 60 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 for slaughtering pigs in an unlicensed slaughterhouse,” he added.
Dr Rundi said that in 2021, a total of RM497,000 was paid to pig farmers in Lawas, Limbang and several parts of Miri as compensation for the affected farmers’ livestock disposed of for the control and eradication of ASF.
In July 2022, the state government has given the approval to pay compassionate assistance to farmers affected by pigs disposed of for control and eradication of ASF.
