KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 5 — Malaysia has imposed an immediate suspension on most pork and pork product imports from Spain following the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) in wild boars near Barcelona, according to the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).
The precautionary measure aims to safeguard Malaysia's livestock industry and prevent the introduction of the highly contagious disease into the country's pig farming sector. While ASF does not pose a risk to human health, it can cause severe economic losses to the swine industry due to its high mortality rate among pigs.
Under the new directive, imports of most pork products from Spain have been halted with immediate effect. However, certain heat-treated and commercially sterilized products may continue to be considered under specific import conditions.
The outbreak, reported in Catalonia, marks Spain's first confirmed ASF incident in more than three decades. The development has prompted several countries to review or temporarily restrict imports of Spanish pork products as a biosecurity precaution.
Industry observers note that Spain is one of the world's largest pork exporters, and the suspension may affect international trade flows while importers seek alternative supply sources.
Malaysian authorities stated that they will continue to monitor the situation closely and assess future import policies based on disease control developments and international veterinary guidelines.
Consumers have been assured that the measure is purely preventive and that ASF is not a food safety concern for humans. The government emphasized that maintaining strict biosecurity standards remains a top priority in protecting the nation's agricultural sector.