Eggs from India pass tests and meet standards set, says ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: The initial batch of imported chicken eggs has arrived to meet the shortfall in the country, says the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (MAFS).

In a statement yesterday, MAFS said that the batch of air-flown eggs from India was part of an experimental phase to ensure that imported eggs met 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 disease and complied with all standards set for the national market.

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

“This will be reviewed when the domestic egg supply stabilises,” said MAFS.

It added that quality control on the imported eggs was done 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 the imports are safe, clean, halal and free from disease.

“This will in turn protect the country’s livestock industry as well,” it said.

It said all protocols and procedures set by the government had been followed without compromise.

MAFS stressed that importing eggs was not meant to suppress the local industry, but to ensure sufficient supply in the country at competitive prices.

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

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

On Thursday, Bernama reported that the supply of chicken eggs in supermarkets and retail stores in five states, namely Perak, Penang, Kelantan, Selangor and Melaka, was seen to be depleting,