Govt to look into call for pork imports from Thailand, China, and Brazil
KUALA LUMPUR : The veterinary department is reviewing a proposal for pork to be imported from Thailand, China, and Brazil to meet a current shortage caused by the outbreak of African swine fever.
However, pork traders were advised to act swiftly to secure supplies from existing export countries.
Agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said pork imports were still allowed from European countries, Britain, Australia, Canada and the United States.
'Importers are advised to act swiftly to secure supplies from these countries first,' he said in a statement.
Mohamad said the proposal to expand the list of source countries was raised by the Federation of Pork Sellers Associations following the closure of several farms in Selangor because of swine fever.
He said the government is taking the pork supply shortage seriously as swine fever causes significant losses to farmers and drives up the price of fresh pork in the market.
He also said his ministry would work with the domestic trade and cost of living ministry to evaluate the association's proposal to place pork under price controls.
Currently, pork prices are controlled only during festive seasons.
Mohamad welcomed the support of state governments such as Penang, Perak, and Sabah for the adoption of a modernised pig farming system, and the setting up of pig farming zones in Sarawak and Negeri Sembilan.
He said his ministry would help pig farms with the transition to modernisation. 'This effort is expected to stabilise pork supply and help Malaysia achieve 90% self-sufficiency in local pork production by 2030,' he added.
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