Tallink Silja Europa arrives Helsinki. Customs monitoring will focus on passenger traffic from Estonia, where new cases have been reported this summer. Photo: Mikko Stig / Str / Lehtikuva
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Finnish Customs will increase food inspections at Helsinki ports between 12 August and 30 September in response to the worsening African swine fever (ASF) situation in the Baltic region.
The agency said monitoring will focus on passenger traffic from Estonia, where new cases have been reported this summer. ASF is fatal to pigs and wild boar but does not affect humans. Authorities warn it could have severe consequences for animal welfare, pig farming and food exports if introduced into Finland.
The disease can spread through contaminated meat products carried by travellers. Customs officers will target such items during inspections, supported by food-sniffing dogs.
Finnish Customs enforces bans and restrictions on food imports to prevent the entry of harmful animal and plant diseases. Several EU countries have designated restricted zones from which pork, wild boar meat and products containing them may only enter under strict conditions.
The Finnish Food Authority advises against bringing any meat, sausages or animal products into the country from abroad.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
