Kuala lumpur: The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has seized 114 tonnes of pig carcass, estimated to be worth RM3.05 million, due to unauthorized transfers in 18 cases from 2024 until last July. The seizures were made at premises selling or storing frozen pork carcasses suspected to have been imported without approval in Kelantan, Selangor, Johor, Kedah, Penang, Melaka, and Labuan.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, stated that during the same period, the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) detected several illegal pork smuggling attempts. These resulted in 24 arrests, with a total trading quantity of 640 tonnes.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), through MAQIS and DVS, is committed to enforcing strict measures to control imports and combat illegal pork smuggling, especially from countries identified as having outbreaks of dangerous diseases. This assurance was given during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, responding to a query from Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) regarding enforcement actions on pork importation and smuggling, particularly from Thailand and other countries affected by Streptococcus Suis and African Swine Fever (ASF).

Arthur highlighted that import control by MAQIS involves a document inspection mechanism, requiring import permits and veterinary health certificates, along with physical inspections of containers at national entry points. Additionally, the sampling of pork products is conducted to ensure they are disease-free before being allowed entry.