Immediate Suspension of import of meat
- With immediate effect, the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has suspended the import of meat from France and Argentina into Singapore due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in these two countries. The Ministry of the Environment (ENV), likewise has suspended those milk and milk products that have not undergone high heat treatment. These products include pasteurised milk, cheese, yoghurt, ice cream and butter.
- In the case of France, the AVA suspension will cover pork and pork products. Beef from France continues to be suspended due to BSE (Mad Cow Disease). French exports of poultry and game poultry will not be affected. There are no other types of meat, which have been approved by AVA from France. Pork from France accounts for less than 5% of Singapore’s pork supply.
- In the case of Argentina, the AVA suspension will cover beef and mutton and their products. Chicken from Argentina will not be affected. There are no other kinds of meat approved by AVA from Argentina. Beef from Argentina accounts for only 1.6% of our total beef supply. No mutton was imported from Argentina in 2000 and 2001.
- FMD, which does not affect humans, is different from the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), which affects humans. FMD affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. It is caused by a virus. Its symptoms in affected animals include high fever, loss of appetite and excessive salivation. It produces blisters in the mouth, on the tongue and in between the hooves. When the blisters break, ulcers are formed. It is a very painful condition. Because of the blisters, the animals stop feeding and suffer from extreme lameness.
- The disease cannot be passed to humans through consuming meat or milk. AVA and ENV's suspension on meat and milk and milk products from Argentina and France is to protect Singapore's FMD-free status and our agri-business trade.
- FMD causes economic losses to the farmers and the country. Livestock and products from the affected country will not be accepted by importing countries because of the highly contagious nature of the disease. Animals usually get infected through infected livestock products and contact with the infected animals. The transmission of the disease can also be air-borne.
- In 2000, a total of 318,000 pigs, 28,000 tonnes of frozen pork and 24,000 tonnes of chilled pork were imported into Singapore from other approved sources. Pigs were imported from Pulau Bulan, Indonesia. Australia is a major exporter of pork to Singapore.
- In 2000, a total of 14,000 tonnes of beef were imported into Singapore mainly from Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.
- Last year, 9,920 tonnes of mutton were imported into Singapore virtually all from Australia and New Zealand.
- In 2000, 0.12% and 5.46 % of milk and milk products were imported into Singapore from Argentina and France respectively.
- The suspension is unlikely to affect the supply of milk and milk products in Singapore as most of the supply is from Australia and New Zealand.
Issued jointly by Agri-food & Veterinary Authority and the Ministry of Environment on 14 Mar 2001
News Release No: 36/2001
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