Laos suspends import of pork products from China

Vientiane (VNA) - The Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Laos have issued a dispatch on suspending the import of pork, piglets and all pork products from China due to concerns about the spread of African hog cholera into the Southeast Asia country.

The Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry asked its Livestock and Fisheries Department, authorities of localities ad management agencies of border gates to promote campaigns to raise public awareness of the need to do the work.

Especially, provinces sharing the borderline with China such as Bokeo, Luangnamtha, Odomxay and Phongsaly were required to suspend the granting of permits for the import of pork, pigs, piglets and all types of pork products from China for consumption or rearing.

At the same time, the inspection and management of pork product imports should be strengthened, including banning individuals and passengers from buying pork for use.

Any violation at border gates will be severely punished according to the civil or criminal laws, and be confiscated for immediately destroying.

The dispatch also requested relevant agencies to work with local producers and associations of livestock, poultry and pig production to develop a plan to balance the supply and demand of pork products in the country, aiming to limit the import of those from foreign countries.-VNA