The Bureau of Customs–Manila International Container Port (MICP) will bury contents of a container after it was tested positive for the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus.
The container, consigned to Dynamic M Intl Trading Inc arrived at the Manila North Harbor last December 11, 2019 from China and was placed under an alert order for suspicion of containing misdeclared items.
The shipment contained various food items such as dumplings, pork-chicken balls, and roast chicken wings.
After 100% examination of contents and undergoing laboratory test from the Veterinary Quarantine Services (VQS), the pork-celery dumplings indicated the presence of ASF virus.
MICP has ordered an interagency team to immediately dispose of the contents of the shipment in accordance with the recommendation of the VQS to prevent spread of the ASF virus.
“We remain vigilant in ensuring the safety of the public from dangerous goods,” MICP District Collector Guillermo Pedro A. Francia IV said. “Since the threat of the ASF was raised by the Department of Agriculture, Customs has always been proactive in preventing the entry of pork products in the country.”
Notably, the seized items were not covered by any sanitary permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry. Agricultural items not covered by such permits may carry plant diseases, and pests that can affect local agriculture.
The shipments seized violated Sections 1400, 1113, and 117 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, RA 3720 or the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and RA 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.
