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Pests and diseases can affect market access

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Minister of Agriculture Modernisation and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Utom. Photo: Mohd Azzman Rosali
By Jasmine Badun

IT is important to ensure Sarawak remains free from pests and diseases to achieve a ‘clean and safe’ reputation in the international scene, says Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

The Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development said the presence of pests and diseases could affect market access in both domestic and international trade.

“As of now, the state continues to be free from Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Nipah viral encephalitis in pigs.”

He added that this disease-free status was a prerequisite for international trade and had enabled Sarawak to export its livestock products to neighbouring countries.

Dr Rundi reminded that currently, there were no vaccine and treatment available for African Swine Fever (ASF), which affects both domesticated pigs and wild boars.

“Sarawak reported its first case of ASF in domesticated pigs in Buduk Bui, Limbang Division due to the poor biosecurity and hygiene of the pig farms and the farmers themselves.

“The Veterinary Services Department (DVS) is taking all the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of ASF to Kuching, Serian and Samarahan divisions, where 75 per cent of the commercial pork production in Sarawak is located,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the DUN sitting on Wednesday (May 25).

The actions taken included banning import from ASF infected countries, surveillance, awareness programmes, improvement of biosecurity measures, pig movement control and implementing the “stamping out or culling”, followed by decontamination.

“In view of the losses incurred by our farmers, the government is looking for appropriate ways and assistance to assist farmers that are affected by ASF.”

Dr Rundi disclosed a total of 72 areas in Sarawak had been declared as rabies infected areas, with the number of human rabies cases standing at 45 of which 41 had succumbed to the disease.

However, he said the rabies situation was improving and cooperation from the public was needed to eradicate it.

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