First batch of imported eggs arrives, passes all screening

KUALA LUMPUR: The trial phase supply of chicken egg imports has arrived in Malaysia.

In a statement, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said it has brought in eggs from foreign countries to accommodate the lack of supply that the country has been facing for several months.

"We have allowed the entry of chicken eggs from India on Friday (Dec 16) through air, as an experimental phase to ensure that chicken eggs imported meet all the standards set.

"We have carried out tests through the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis) and the Veterinary Services Department and found the eggs free of all diseases and safe and compliant with all standards set for the use of the national market.

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"Accordingly, we have agreed to grant temporary permission for the entry of chicken eggs from outside sources.

"This will be reviewed when the domestic egg supply stabilises," it said.

The ministry said quality control was carried out on the entry of the imported chicken eggs via the Hold, Test and Release process.

"This includes polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for the detection of Salmonella bacteria, Newcastle disease and avian influenza.

"These tests are to ensure that people are receiving the best chicken eggs and that the imports are safe, clean, halal and free from all diseases.

"This will in turn protect the country's livestock industry as well," it said.

The statement further said all protocols and procedures set by the government have been followed without compromise.

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The ministry stressed that importing chicken eggs was not meant to suppress local industry, but to ensure sufficient supply in the country with competitive prices.

The Times of India reported that in a first, an egg exporter from Namakkal in Tamil Nadu was sending over eggs to Malaysia.

It said ministry secretary-general Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid had recently approached the Indian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to explore the possibility of importing eggs from India.

On Dec 6, minister Mohamad Sabu said Malaysia would import eggs as a stopgap measure to address the shortage until a long-term solution was found.