Approximately 500 kg of pork of suspicious origin, intended for sale at an agricultural market in the Republic of Moldova, was confiscated and destroyed, while the targeted premises underwent thorough disinfection. Additionally, authorities discovered an illegal animal market where live pigs were being sold without identification documents. Those involved have been documented, and the local public administration has been asked to provide explanations, IPN reports.

According to authorities, the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) has intensified inspections to limit the spread of African Swine Fever outbreaks and combat the illicit trade of pigs and pork. These actions come in response to the significant risks the disease poses to the livestock sector and public health.

Under a recently issued order, ANSA has implemented additional measures, including unexpected inspections at agricultural markets and points of sale for animal-origin products. ANSA stated that these inspections aim to prevent the introduction of products from unauthorized sources into the market and to combat the illegal transport and sale of pigs.

During these operations, ANSA inspectors identified an attempt to sell a large quantity of pork without proper documentation. The meat was confiscated and destroyed, and the premises where it was to be sold were disinfected.

An unauthorized animal market was also discovered, where live pigs without identification and veterinary documents were being sold. Authorities have launched investigations, and those responsible face administrative penalties. Furthermore, the illegal market’s premises were disinfected to prevent potential disease spread, according to ANSA representatives.

To prevent the illegal introduction of meat products into the country, ANSA has also tightened border controls, thoroughly checking travelers' luggage to detect and confiscate illegally transported meat products.

ANSA urges market administrations and traders to rigorously verify the origin of meat and comply with sanitary-veterinary regulations to avoid penalties. At the same time, citizens are advised to buy products only from safe and authorized sources to protect public health.