Sri Lanka has temporarily banned the slaughter of pigs, the sale or distribution of pork and pork products due to the rapid spread of African swine fever (ASF) among pigs.
This has been stated in a gazette notification issued declaring all the divisional secretariat divisions of the island as “infected” or “suspicious” areas.
Under the new regulations, activities including the transportation of pigs or pork products into or out of infected areas, the slaughter of pigs, the artificial breeding of pigs, the sale or distribution of pork and pork products, and the disposal of infected animal carcasses in water bodies or otherwise. The spread of infection will be prohibited.
Responding to this situation, the head of the Public Health Inspectors Association, Upul Rohana, told that people who keep pork will be arrested and brought to court.