Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Veterinary Services Department (DVS) issued a total of 91 compounds for offences under Section 15(1) of the Animal Enactment 2015.
These include the offence of importing unlicensed animals or animal products within the period from the beginning of last year to now, amounting to RM302,768.
The department also issued eight compounds for offences under the Slaughterhouses Rules 2003.
Another four compounds were issued for not having an export licence under the Animal Enactment 2015, three compounds under the Animal Welfare Enactment 2015 and four other compounds, which totalled RM44,200.
Among products often illegally brought into Sabah were chicken and frozen meat, canned pork, animal feed and dairy products, while live animals involved include cats, dogs, village chickens and village pigs.
DVS Sabah takes seriously the entry of unlicensed animals and animal products as they can be a factor in the spread of various diseases of economic importance.
These include the African Swine Fever (ASF), bird flu and even zoonotic diseases such as rabies which can infect humans and affect the livestock industry in Sabah.
Companies or members of the public who wish to bring in animals or animal-related products are urged to apply for and obtain an import licence from DVS Sabah before doing so, in compliance with the import and export procedures established for the benefit of Sabahans.
DVS Sabah will continue inspection operations at the main state border entrances, in warehouses and related premises as an effort to curb smuggling activities, in addition to cooperating with other agencies from time to time.
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