March 4, 2025

Sarawak, Malaysia, keeps tighter ban on pig, pork exports from parts of country

Sarawak, Malaysia, has tightened its ban on the importation of live pigs, pork, and pork products from the Malaysian peninsula following the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Kuala Langat, Selangor.

State Minister for Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr. Stephen Rundi said expanding the ban was necessary to protect the state from the virus.

Rundi said only imports from countries free of ASF and foot and mouth disease (FMD) are allowed.

The importation of live pigs, pork, and pork products without an import permit is an offence under Section 8 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999. In addition, the products will be confiscated.

The ASF outbreak in Selangor has affected pig farms in the Sepang and Kuala Langat districts.

The Selangor Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) reported that approximately 76,000 pigs across 56 of the 114 licensed farms in these areas have tested positive for ASF.

To control the spread of the virus, culling operations commenced on February 5, with 1,868 pigs from two farms euthanised using high-density carbon dioxide gas and subsequently buried on-site.

The source of the ASF infection is believed to be linked to the movement of pigs from other states into Selangor.

- New Straits Times