KUCHING: Importation of fresh milk into the state is governed by regulations for importation of a veterinary import permit issued by the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak.
The product would require Certificate of Freedom of Country or State from Disease – for the past twelve months prior to and till the date of export (Foot and Mouth disease, Pestes des pestits ruminants, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Mad Cow disease), Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia.
They must also have the Veterinary Health Certificate attesting that the milk and milk products are free from tuberculosis, and all the necessary precautions are taken after processing to avoid contact of products with any potential sources of FMD virus.
The restrictions mentioned above, however, do not apply to dairy products such as UHT, yoghurt, milk powder, cheese, butter, cream, ice-cream containing milk, and condensed milk, State Veterinary Services Department (DVS) said in a statement yesterday.
Its director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud issued this statement in response to a statement made by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister Chong Chieng Jen Thursday to prohibit importation of fresh milk into Sarawak from FMD infected countries.
Chong had told the press conference that fresh milk from Peninsular Malaysia was still being sold in supermarkets in the state despite a suspension.
Dr Adrian said DVS Sarawak would investigate the matter and would take the necessary action to ensure that Sarawak remain FMD-free.
“DVS Sarawak is fully committted to maintaining its FMD-free status granted by World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in May 2004.
“DVS Sarawak will continue to strengthen our enforcement to ensure that milk and milk products imported into the state meet the requirement of import permit.”
According to Dr Adrian, foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a viral disease of economic importance that affected all cloven-hoof animals such as cattle, buffalo, pigs, goats, sheeps, deer, and other ungulates.
“FMD does not affect poultry and humans. It is different from the Hand-Foot and Mouth disease (HFMD) caused by Coxsackievirus,” he added.
