DVS Seized 114 tonnes Of Pig Carcass worth Over RM3 Mln since 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) seized 114 tonnes of pig carcass, estimated to be worth RM3.05 million, involving the transfer of carcasses without approval in 18 cases of seizure from 2024 until last July,.  

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the seizures involved sales or storage premises of frozen pork carcasses suspected to have been imported without approval in Kelantan, Selangor, Johor, Kedah, Penang, Melaka and Labuan.  

He said that during the same period, the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) detected several attempts of illegal pork smuggling involving 24 arrests with a total trading quantity of 640 tonnes.  

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), through MAQIS and DVS, always takes strict measures to control imports and combat illegal smuggling of pork from abroad, especially from countries identified as having outbreaks of dangerous diseases,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.  

Arthur was responding to a question from Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) regarding MAQIS’ enforcement actions on the importation and illegal smuggling of pork from abroad, particularly from Thailand and other countries with outbreaks of Streptococcus Suis and African Swine Fever (ASF), as well as the number of arrests made in relation to illegal pork smuggling activities at all national entry points this year.  

He said import control carried out by MAQIS is through a document inspection mechanism, including the requirement for import permits and veterinary health certificates, as well as physical inspections of containers at the country’s entry points.  

In addition, sampling of pork products is also conducted to ensure they are free of any disease before being allowed entry.  

-- BERNAMA