Customs service strengthen border control to prevent spread of African swine fever's outbreaks in Moldova

Chisinau, 15 May /MOLDPRES/ – The Customs Service will intensify control measures at Moldovan-Ukrainian border as to prevent emergence and spreading of new outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) on the territory of the country.

According to the Customs Service's info service, decision-makers within Central Office of Customs Service will go to territory to inspect control measures. At the same time, there will also be intensified the second control filter, provided by the Mobile Teams of the Customs Service. They will monitor tracks near crossing points and retain meat products from animals that are receptive to ASF virus (domestic and wild boar). Also, customs inspectors, admitting pork products to the country, will be disciplined.

According to the established procedure, retained pork products are subject to distortion by storing in lime chambers. Subsequently, the representatives of the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) have obligation to evict and destroy them.

The measures will be maintained until veterinary authorities in neighbouring country declare Ukraine a state or a free zone of the ASF virus. At the same time, citizens are urged to avoid buying from Ukraine and introducing pork products in the country.

According to the Customs Service's data, over 3,800 cases of pig meat products have been recorded since the beginning of prohibition period, introduced in October 2016, and quantity retained during this period is about 11 thousand kg of meat or pork products.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Raileanu)