News African swine fever
China exports contaminated pork to Russia
The Russian food watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor reports that China has exported pork to Russia that is contaminated with African swine fever. The Russian National Meat Association (NMA) has asked for measures.
Sausages contaminated with the virus have been found in Transbaikal Krai, one of the few regions in Russia where African swine fever has not yet been diagnosed. Rosselkhoznadzor also warned earlier that the region in eastern Russia is a risk area. This is because many products are smuggled across the border here, including pork.
No meat from tourists
De NMA has asked the Russian government whether it can tighten the rules on tourism. Tourists can currently bring 5 kilos of meat per person across the border. However, the NMA wants to ban tourists from taking meat with them, in order to reduce the risk of an outbreak of African swine fever in the region.
The first outbreak of African swine fever in Russia became known in 2007, although the animal disease has not spread at a rapid pace since then. However, the virus can still be found throughout the country, with the exception of a number of regions.
China has no control
It is not the first time that Chinese pork contaminated with African swine fever has been found abroad. It testifies that China is not yet under control of the virus. Since the turn of the year, the government has released only dozens of cases, while thousands of additional tons of pork are imported. This implies that the situation is much more threatening than the Chinese government appears to be.
Meanwhile, the animal disease has also been found on Hainan Island, which means that the sea has not stopped the spread of the virus. With this outbreak in Hainan, all provinces in China are now infected with African swine fever.
Tim Roetman
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