August 7, 2018

Japan holds offpork imports from China
 

Following the outbreak of African swine flu (ASF) in China on August 3, Japan has suspended imports of Chinese heat-treated pork, according to an official from Japan's ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

The official added that other by-products, such as sausage casings and heat-treated rice straw used for pig beddings, which could be contaminated as well, were also temporarily suspended.

"This is to ensure that all requirements for the import products were met," he explained. However, importations will likely resume within a couple of days.

Another official revealed that Japan has taken measures to tightenquarantine operations at airports and seaports, especially for travellers from Shenyang and Dalian, both located within the vicinity of the infected areas.

Immigration officers are using more sniffer dogs than usual and have begun alerting travellers of China's ASF situation.

Previously, due to the foot-and-mouth epidemic, Japan has already banned raw pork imports from China.