An intervention team had seized 39,000 illegally imported eggs from a truck in Tbong Khmum province’s Ponhea Kraek district on June 18.

The truck, which had come directly from Vietnam, appeared to be heading to Siem Reap to sell its illegal cargo, according to Hun Sarath, deputy director of the Department of Animal Health and Production under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

“Our officers have placed the eggs in quarantine, and are preparing the necessary paperwork to mount a legal case,” he added.

Cambodia Pig Farmers Association chairman Srun Pov said that although illegally imported eggs might not seem dangerous, they could pose serious risks to both consumers and domestic chicken breeders.

“Currently, the Kingdom has no need to import chickens or their eggs, as domestic farmers produce enough to meet the demands of local markets, and even export their surplus,” he added.

In early May, another of the animal health department’s intervention teams seized nearly 2,000 live chickens, also imported from Vietnam without permission. The live birds were being transported to Kandal province’s Kien Svay district when they were intercepted in Svay Rieng province.