SIBU: All pork on sale at markets here is safe for consumption as it is free from African Swine Fever (ASF), says Sibu assistant veterinary officer Anthony Janggu.

       He said on Thursday (March 3) that the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department has been conducting stringent checks on all four pig farms in the area following reported ASF cases in January.

       Janggu said to reporters during a visit to pork stalls at the central market that ASF was found at one of the farms, adding that it was then closed and 1,457 pigs were culled.

       He said that the department would inspect the animals before they are slaughtered.

       "When they are certified free from ASF, they would be sent to the Sibu Municipal Council's abattoirs for slaughtering. After that the pork is dispersed to the sellers," he said.

       Janggu added that in January, over 4,000 pigs were slaughtered and said that the number dropped to half that in February.

       Meanwhile, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng said he would be assisting the affected pork sellers and pig farmers to apply for financial relief from the state government.

       "I will write to Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom to consider givin one-off financial aid to the pork sellers and farmers," he said.

       Chieng said since ASF was reported here, most sellers had experienced a 50% drop in business as people were scared to consume pork.