GOVT LIFTS BAN ON PORK IMPORTS

Jakarta, Feb 13 (ANTARA) - The government has lifted a ban on importation of pork products which had been in force since May 2009 to prevent the spread of swine flu (H1N1).

Trade Minister's Regulation number 05/M-DAG/Per/2/2010 said , the decision to lift the ban was made because previous suspicions that imported pork could be contaminated had been disproved.

Another consideration to end the ban was that research conducted by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) last June 11, 2009, had proven that pork products processed hygienically as recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Office of International des Epizooties (OIE), the World Health Organization (WHO), and Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) would not be a source of swine flu (H1N1).