SIBU: Despite the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) in three farms in Durin in which mass deaths of pigs were reported recently, the sale of pork has not been affected.
The deaths were confirmed on Monday (Jan 10) by the state veterinary diagnostic laboratory using rT-PCT tests.
A pork outlet in Channel Road here is still receiving a fair amount of regular customers as usual.
The seller, who only wished to be identified as Wong, 59, when approached Tuesday morning (Jan 11) said his customers trusted his shop and knew that the pork he sold was safe for consumption.
“We source the pork from the slaughter house under the supervision of the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) whereby pigs sent for slaughter are healthy and of high quality.
“The pigs are also under strict inspections and checks by health officials.”
Wong, who has been in this business for the past four decades, said he had never heard of pig farming in the Durin area.
He said some people there could have only reared the pigs for their own consumption.
Another two pork sellers at Sibu Central Market also concurred with Wong.
Both, aged 60 and only wishing to ne identified as Ting and Su, said the recent incident of mass pig deaths due to ASF did not affect their business at all.
They said business was as usual because their customers knew they sold only fresh meat obtained from the slaughter house that undergoes strict inspections and checks by health officials.
