CP Vietnam Addresses Allegations: Admits to Sick Pig Images, Outsourcing Slaughterhouse Shares Insights.

On the morning of June 2nd, an interdisciplinary team led by the Hau Giang Department of Agriculture and Environment inspected the Dững Nga livestock slaughterhouse to verify information reported by Mr. L.Q.N. (40 years old, from My Xuyen, Soc Trang) and in response to a coordination request from the Soc Trang Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Regarding the images of sick pigs, allegedly taken around 2:30 am on March 26, 2022, and shared by Mr. N. on social media, Mr. Nguyen Chi Cuong, representing the slaughterhouse owner, confirmed that the photos were indeed taken at their facility, as reported by Vietnamnet.

Mr. Cuong explained that the pigs were imported in healthy condition and had complete health certificates. However, during the slaughtering process, one pig exhibited abnormal behavior due to the prolonged procedure. “As soon as we discovered this, we reported it to the company and requested guidance. A company employee took pictures and sent them via Zalo for reporting and disposal,” Mr. Cuong said.

According to the owner’s representative, the disposal process was documented and confirmed by veterinary staff, company employees, and the slaughterhouse. The pig showing abnormal signs was handled according to regulations.

“If that pig had not been destroyed and instead entered the market, the veterinary authorities would have certainly issued a report and prevented its release,” Mr. Cuong added.

Mr. Cuong repeatedly asserted that the disposal of the aforementioned pig did occur, following the proper procedures, and that it was not supplied to Soc Trang or any other location.

Additionally, Mr. Ha Huu Tam, representing C.P Company, was present during the working session that morning, as reported by Phap Luat TP.HCM.

Mr. Tam confirmed that the images of sick pigs circulating on social media over the past few days were indeed taken at their facility on March 26, 2022.

According to Mr. Tam, the photos were taken to report to the company and veterinary authorities. Subsequently, the slaughterhouse, in collaboration with the company, disposed of the pig on-site, using it as fish food. Mr. Tam also affirmed that a confirmation report was made for the disposal.

Previously, in response to allegations that C.P Company sold sick pig meat, Mr. Tran Van Lau, Chairman of the Soc Trang Provincial People’s Committee, directed the formation of an interdisciplinary inspection team. On May 30, the team inspected the C.P food store in My Xuyen and found no evidence of diseased pork, chicken, or rotten products being sold, nor any expired products.

However, the inspection team discovered that the store’s certificate for meeting food safety conditions had expired. Additionally, the store could not present the original business registration certificate, nor could they provide proof of food safety training for the owner and sales staff.

At the conclusion of the inspection, the team prepared an inspection report and temporarily confiscated the goods being traded at the facility, sealing and leaving them in the owner’s custody.

On May 30 and 31, the Soc Trang inter-sectoral inspection team worked at all four C.P. Fresh Shops in the area. The leader of the Region VII Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sub-Department visited the store on Le Hong Phong Street (Soc Trang city) to collect pork samples for testing in Can Tho.

On the morning of June 2, the Director of the Soc Trang Department of Natural Resources and Environment stated that the report to the Provincial People’s Committee was not yet complete.