April 21, 2023

 

Singapore stops swine imports from Indonesia island after ASF detected

 

Singapore has stopped imports of live swine from Pulau Bulan, Indonesia, after African swine fever was detected in a recent shipment, The Straits Times reported.

 

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said the virus was detected in swine carcasses in an abattoir in the country.

 

According to SFA, this is the first time ASF has been detected in pigs imported into Singapore.

 

Pulau Bulan supplies about 15% of Singapore's total pork supply. This accounts for roughly two-thirds of Singapore's fresh slaughtered pork supply.

 

The investigation at the farm in Pulau Bulan, near Batam, is still ongoing.

 

The SFA said due to the current situation, there will be temporary disruptions in the supply of freshly slaughtered pork beginning Sunday.

 

Meanwhile, SFA stated that it will collaborate with industry partners to increase the availability of chilled and frozen pork from other sources.

 

Singapore imports pork from over 20 different countries, including live pigs from Sarawak in East Malaysia and chilled or frozen pork from Australia, Brazil, and other places.

 

The SFA has urged consumers to opt for other forms of meat such as frozen or chilled pork or other protein options.

 

SFA also said that it is collaborating with the abattoir to maintain biosecurity measures and to sanitise the premises and surrounding areas after the swine have been slaughtered.

 

-      The Straits Times