Temporary freeze on permits for pork imports

JITRA: The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry has temporarily frozen the issuance of new permits to import pork to prevent the influenza A (H1N1) virus from spreading to Malaysia, Deputy Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum said.

“At the moment, there are several companies with a permit to import pork and we will monitor them closely, he said. He said the companies imported pork from several countries including the United States, China and Vietnam.

Mohd Johari said this to newsmen after officiating at a Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) seminar for Year Six pupils at Kolej Matrikulasi Changlun, near here. More than 400 pupils attended the one-day seminar organised by the Kubang Pasu Umno division.

Mohd Johari also said the Veterinary Services Department had increased its inspection at 797 pig farms nationwide. He said the department had so far taken samples at 19 pig farms andfound that the pigs were healthy and not affected with the A (H1N1) virus, he said.

Mohd Johari said 14 of the farms were located in Selangor and five in Malacca.