Philippines authorities seize smuggled pork from China

The Bureau of Customs-Port of Manila (BOC-POM) seized two containers of mis-declared pork and other meat products estimated to be worth P3.5m.
The seized pork and other meat products arrived at the South Harbor from China, and was consigned to Jeniti International Trading.
Based on the initial report, the consignee declared the shipment as containing tomato paste and vermicelli. The subject shipment was tagged and inspected by a customs examiner who found an estimated P3.5m worth of pork and other meat products.

As a result, a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) was issued against the shipment for violation of Section 1400 “Misdeclaration, Misclassification and Undervaluation in Goods Declaration,” in relation to Section 1113 “Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture,” of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Earlier this month, authorities apprehended a shipment of pork products that tested positive for African Swine Fever. The shipmen contained processed pork products and were disposed of by quarantine officers.

Agriculture Secretary William D Dar said this action shows that strict and effective measures are in place and operational to prevent the spread of ASF.

Dar added that anybody found selling and trading illegally slaughtered diseased animals are punishable under the law.

“Again, we strongly appeal to small backyard hog raisers not to sell their ASF-infected pigs to traders, and for traders not to sell infected hogs, and pork and processed products so as not to spread the ASF virus to other areas,”​ he said. “We urge the general public to continue to buy pork products from market vendors and meat shops with NMIS certificates.”​

In July, the Philippines issued a temporary ban on pork from Germany​ due to shipments from Poland passing through the country.

Global Meat News is hosting a free webinar on African Swine Fever, featuring experts from the pork industry. Register here for African Swine Fever: A Global Epidemic​.