MINSK, 12 July (BelTA) – Belarus introduced temporary restrictions on the import of pork from Mongolia on 12 July, BelTA learned from the department for veterinary and food supervision at the Agriculture and Food Ministry of Belarus.

The decision was made after an incident of classical swine fever was registered in one of aimaks (regions) of Mongolia.

In this regard Belarus has restricted the import of live pigs, pork and products from it, raw hides and casings, horns and hoofs, pig hair, brawn, hunter’s tropheys, fodder and supplements of animal and vegetable origin, including those made of poultry and fish, feed additives for cats and dogs made of products from Mongolia which did not undergo heat treatment, used equipment for pig breeding, slaughter, butchering and transportation of pigs.

“Measures should be taken to provide biological protection for pig-breeding farms of all forms of ownership,” the department noted.

Classical swine fever is a viral disease affecting pigs and wild boars. This highly contagious infection causes fever, damage of blood vessels and blood-forming organs, inflammation of mucous membrane of large bowels. The disease can occur in all countries. Classical swine fever causes immense economic losses. The death rate ranges from 80% to 100%.