MIRI: The supply of fresh pork meat in this division will be back to normal, with the reopening of Miri City Council (MCC) abattoir at Krokop tomorrow (April 25) – some three weeks after it was closed from April 6 following the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF).
Minister for Transport Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin, who is also Miri Division Disaster Management committee minister in-charge, disclosed this after attending a meeting with Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) on Saturday.
The ASF contaminated premises was sealed for a thorough cleaning and sanitation operation from April 6 to April 24 (2022).
“However, the latest inspection report presented by Miri Veterinary Officer on April 21 during a Veterinary Health and Compliance meeting, the committee has agreed to allow the re-opening on April 25 (Monday),” Lee said.
He said the reopening of the abattoir was subject to strict compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure that the pigs slaughtered were healthy and safe for public consumption.
According to the DVS, a total 904 animals from commercial farms in this division were culled from March 9 to April 21 this year, while five licensed commercial pig farms were closed during the period, to prevent the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF).
Miri DVS officer Dr Sylmie Al-Harir said the department had written in to the authorities for compassionate assistance for the affected pig farmers.
“At the moment DVS has already come up with a written write up, it is not called compensation but a compassionate assistance, and let us finish with the write up and we’ll see how it goes,” she said when asked on the matter.
Meanwhile, Lee has also urged unlicensed pig farms to apply for the licence from Miri Division DVS.
“We are calling on the unlicensed pig farm owners to apply for licence, as the processing fee is only at RM10, while annual fee is RM50 only,” he said.
