Woman fined S$8,400 for illegally importing meat from China

SINGAPORE — A woman was fined S$8,400 in court yesterday (Oct 14) for illegally importing meat products from China, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) said in a statement today.

In August, the AVA received public feedback about the online sale of meat products, including duck, beef and chicken, by a local seller in Singapore. AVA officers posed as buyers to purchase meat products from the woman, and seized 52.8kg of assorted meat products from China from the seller’s residence.

China is not an approved source for the import of meat, meat products, poultry and poultry products.

Investigations showed that the woman had been illegally importing meat products from China and selling them online since May.

Together with Singapore Customs, the AVA intercepted and confiscated an incoming consignment imported by the woman, which contained 85.68kg of meat products. The detained consignment will be destroyed.

“Meat and meat products can only be imported from accredited establishments/farms in approved countries which comply with our bio-security requirements,” said the AVA. For example, poultry can only be imported from countries which are free from bird flu. The AVA highlighted the need to remain vigilant on the potential risk of introducing bird flu into Singapore through illegal imports.

The authority also cautioned about the risks associated with consuming food items bought online as they may not have undergone checks by the AVA.