February 10, 2023

 

Malaysia issues new guidelines for interstate transfer of live swine amid ASF outbreak

 

Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) said Veterinary Services Departments (DVS) in each state can consider applications from relevant parties in states with African swine fever (ASF) cases to transfer live swine to slaughterhouses in other states, Malay Mail reported.

 

This follows a ban on the transfer of live swine between states in Malaysia, issued by MAFS on January 10, to stop the spread of the ASF in the country.

 

MAFS said the parties must meet the conditions set by their respective state DVS without compromise, adding that the source states must ensure that the swine are disease-free through laboratory tests and clinical surveillance by DVS.

 

Aside from that, the animal status declaration form must be filled out by a private veterinarian, farms, or the owners of the animals, animal products, or premises, and they must have a swine farm code and attach an ear notching diagram.

 

MAFS said this is to ensure that the number of livestock transferred matches the number in the permit, and that the registration number of the vehicles used to ferry the livestock matches the number in the permit and is not shared with other farms.

 

MAFS also said the permit is only for slaughter purposes and must comply with the general conditions of interstate livestock transfer.

 

It was reported that the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Butchers Association urged the government to issue a report on the outbreak and lift the ban on live swine transfers.

 

Lee Ping Hock, chairman of the association, said that the ban had resulted in pork shortages in several states.

 

MAFS said that Malaysia's pork supply is sufficient until June 2023, based on projections.

 

-      Malay Mail