Ban stays on Chinese ham and pork

By GYNNIE KERO
The country currently does not allow pork or ham products from China, according to National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (Naqia).
The authority added that a complete ban was instituted on these related products like hog sausage casings.
Managing director Joel Alu made the announcement in an advertisement following the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in China and other parts of the world.
Alu said ASF was a serious disease of pigs and had no cure.
Once a country reports ASF virus in its pig population, there is no more trade of the commodity.
African swine is widespread in Europe and Africa.
Currently, there are outbreaks of the disease in Romania, Poland, Belgium, Moldovia and Hungary.
The disease has never been reported in Asia or the Oceania region.
In August this year, China reported its first case of ASF.
As of Nov 20, 74 outbreaks had been reported in 18 of China’s 31 provinces and regions.
More than 600,000 pigs have been culled in an effort to stop the virus from spreading.
Outside China, ASF virus has been detected in pork and ham sausages and meat products in Japan.
Similar cases have been reported and confirmed in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
According to Alu, a disease alert notice was issued last month to Naqia’s frontline officers.
“Possible risk pathways have been identified for ASF virus to enter PNG,” he said.
“Mitigation measures have been developed and are being implemented for our frontline officers.
“Serious non-compliances by some importers and incoming passengers have been identified.
“We have new credible intel that ham/pork products from China are being illegally imported and served in Chinese-owned restaurants and shops.
“With the interception and the detection of ASF virus in processed salt and sun dried pork and ham, this is a sure way of introducing ASF into PNG.
“The qualifications of ASF virus in PNG, where pig-owning and raising is held in high regard in our cultural and social lives as well its effect on our economy, will be unimaginable.
“Those importers and individuals concealing pork/ham products in their containers where it is used as filler goods or is brought through passenger luggage will be dealt with appropriately.”