KOTA KINABALU: The state government has been urged to buy pork from Peninsular Malaysia to meet the demand in Sabah.
State Agriculture and Fisheries assistant minister Datuk James Ratib said this could reduce the dependency on pork supplies from foreign countries such as Singapore, France, Spain and Denmark.
He said the import of pork from overseas was among the reasons for the increase in pork prices in the state.
“Sabah, through the Veterinary Department, should look at these issues and consider allowing pork to be bought from virus– and disease-free pig farms in Peninsular Malaysia,” he Bernama quoted him as saying on Monday.
Ratib pointed out that the supply of pork in Sabah is low due to the recent African Swine Fever which saw thousands of pigs culled.
He said the cost of pig feeds has also increased, which made the price of pork more pricier locally.
“Consumers and traders have been complaining about this for months now, so we hope the state government can find alternative means to solve this problem,” Ratib added.
The Sugut assemblyman, however, said pork supplies sent to Sabah must undergo strict veterinary screening.
“We must make sure that the supplies that come to Sabah are virus– or disease-free,” he said.
