Confiscated ‘hot meats’ seized by quarantine officials from a fast craft passenger (Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Animal Industry-Negros Oriental)
Raw meat and processed from a fast craft passenger were intercepted and confiscated by quarantine inspectors of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) in Negros Oriental Tuesday.
The confiscated items lacked required documents from the port of origin, such as a shipping permit and a certificate of meat inspection as required by law, to control the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF).
Dr. Alfonso Tundag, Quarantine Officer of BAI-Negros Oriental said the confiscated items were three packs of sausage, two packs of chorizo, one kilogram of raw beef and one kilogram of chicken meat, all from a passenger who arrived via the M/V Oceanjet fast craft from Tagbilaran, at around 2:30 p.m.
Quarantine inspectors seized the items after the passenger failed to provide the required documents. The BAI team seized the items, which were later disinfected and disposed of properly.
Tighter security is being implemented especially on large trucks, delivery vans, and other vehicles departing from the port while travelers are required to present their luggage and other belongings for X-ray scanning at the passenger departure terminal.
Dr. Tundag, on the other hand, reiterated that the province is still opening its doors to the entry of these items from other places as long as they have the necessary documents for the items. (RJ Espartinez)