KUALA LUMPUR: The Veterinary Services Department (DVS) has seized pig carcasses, some imported from Brazil and Russia and some unlabelled, weighing over 190 tonnes and worth RM4.3mil in total.
In a statement on Monday (Nov 13), said the carcasses were seized at seven locations in Selangor and four in Johor during an enforcement operation conducted over two phases from May to June and in November.
"The pig carcasses were seized along with five containers, one binding machine and 59 bundles of tying string," the statement read.
DVS also said the seized pig carcasses have been disposed of in accordance with Section 68(3) of the Animals Act 1953 with the approval of the court.
According to the statement, nine cases related to the carcasses from Brazil and Russia are being investigated under Section 5(1)(b) of the Act and two cases under Section 5(3) of the Animals (Control of Slaughter) Rules 2009.
DVS said the unauthorised import of the carcasses is a serious matter as it has implications on disease control, particularly illnesses afflicting livestock such as African Swine Fever, and could impact the pig farming industry.
"Stern action will be taken against importers, storage facility owners and pork sellers to ensure that pig carcasses are only imported from countries permitted under Section 5(1)(b) of the Animals Act 1953.
"We will continue to strengthen enforcement in collaboration with other agencies, including the police, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and local authorities,” DVS said, adding that an integrated operation would be conducted to check on frozen goods warehouses as well as pork producing and processing premises. – Bernama
