Terengganu Veterinary Dept seizes 9,120 kg pig carcasses

THE Terengganu Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) seized a total of 9,120 kilogrammes (kg) of pig carcasses, which were not slaughtered at a licenced abattoir, in Bandar Permaisuri, Setiu, on Thursday.

Its director, Dr Anun Man, said that the seizure involved 228 pig carcass cuts and 29 boxes of pig organs, with a total value estimated at RM246,240.

"The seizure was made in accordance with Rule 5 (3) of the Animals (Control of Slaughter) Rules 2009, under which no one can sell, display for sale or possess any carcass of any animal which was not slaughtered in abattoirs approved by DVS.

"According to the two individuals who were arrested, namely the driver of the container lorry and his assistant, all the meat was processed in the DVS abattoir, but the comparison of the stamps on the carcasses and at the DVS abattoirs did not match," she said, at a press conference here today.

She said that her department did not rule out that the meat was believed to be sent to Kuantan, Pahang, and was brought in from Thailand, based on the sticker on the box.

She said that DVS viewed seriously the smuggling of any animal carcasses which are not slaughtered in abattoirs licensed by the department, due to the outbreak of African Swine Fever.

"It is true that the disease has already hit Malaysia and it can cause losses to the pig industry in the country. In Terengganu, thus far, the outbreak cases have only occurred involving wild boar," she said.

Dr Anun said that all the seized items, which are the first case involving pork in Terengganu, and the sixth case under the control of slaughter this year, will be disposed of tomorrow, after obtaining permission from the court yesterday.

-- BERNAMA