KOTA KINABALU: The import of frozen pork products to meet demand during Chinese New Year has been approved by the Sabah government, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Kitingan, who is also state Agriculture and Fishery Minister, said the import of pork products would be allowed until the supply situation returns to normal.
“It is especially to cater for the demand of the Chinese New Year festive season 2023,” he said when contacted.
Sabah’s pig industry had been badly hit by the African Swine Fever (ASF) over the past two years.
On Saturday, Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin said Sabah was expected to allow the import of 200 tonnes of pork products before Chinese New Year.
He pointed out that many local pig farmers in Sabah had been severely affected by the ASF outbreak with many farms being forced to shut down.
Chan said that with no vaccine to resolve the epidemic, state authorities had no choice but to cull all pigs within districts where ASF was detected.