"The destruction was carried out through controlled incineration followed by burial, ensuring no risk of disease transmission and maintaining environmental hygiene," said I Wayan Kertanegara, head of the provincial quarantine office in Manado, North Sulawesi.
The destroyed items included 557 animal-based products, 144 plant-based products, and 10 processed fishery products. All were confiscated between May 23 and July 14 due to the absence of quarantine documents from their country of origin, China.
The office also destroyed 1.05 tons of wild boar meat that had been transported without documentation from the Sula Islands, North Maluku.
"This strict measure is intended to protect North Sulawesi from the potential spread of animal, fish, and plant diseases with uncertain safety status," Wayan said.
He emphasized that the destruction was carried out in accordance with Law No. 21 of 2019 on Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine, and followed established safety protocols.
Wayan expressed hope that this decisive action would raise public and business awareness about the importance of complying with quarantine regulations.
"By preventing the entry of illegal and high-risk products, we can effectively curb the spread of dangerous diseases such as FMD (foot-and-mouth disease), ASF (African swine fever), and others, thereby protecting animal, fish, and plant health — as well as food safety," he affirmed.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Anton Santoso
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