The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has announced the suspension of pork importation from Thailand and Vietnam amid the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the two countries.
The notice issued by the ministry states that the Department of Livestock and Fisheries prohibits the importation of pork, including live pigs and processed products from Thailand and Vietnam to Laos.
The department will restrict and monitor illegal importation at international border crossings, international airports, Thanaleng dry port, local border crossings, and customs border crossings.
Additionally, pork that has been smuggled or illegally imported into the country must be destroyed. Those who violate the new regulations will face a warning record or will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
In the notice, the government has advised Lao Farmers to monitor their sick animals and kill them if they are found to be carrying the disease, in order to prevent its spread.
Laos temporarily stopped importing pork from China and Thailand in 2019, following the discovery of seven outbreaks of swine fever with 973 deaths from pigs in villages throughout Salavanh Province.
This time around, Laos has not yet suspended pork imports from China. According to a Reuters report, companies in China expect that the outbreak of ASF will increase pork prices as production output would be unable to match the demand.
