Requirement for import permits protects country from disease

KUALA LUMPUR: The government still requires import permits for several agro-food commodities such as chicken, eggs and pork to ensure food safety and protect the country from the threat of disease.

Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Foong Hin said the government also took note that the supply of several food products has been affected due to the spread of zoonotic diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF) and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in source countries.

He said the government had implemented intervention measures by increasing sources of imported food from overseas food processing plants that comply with strict conditions set before the product is imported into Malaysia.

"Authorities such as the Veterinary Services Department are always mindful in setting import conditions for animals and animal parts to ensure that the diseases do not spread into the country," he said during the question time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Feb 28).

He was responding to a supplementary question from Tan Kok Wai (PH-Cheras), who wanted to know whether the government will relax the conditions for food imports given that the supply of some products is affected by the spread of ASF.

Meanwhile, Chan said PadiBeras Nasional Bhd (Bernas), as the sole approved permit holder to import rice, has succeeded in ensuring sufficient supply at all times.

He said Bernas had fulfilled the 10 social obligations it had to meet, including ensuring the increase of the national rice stockpile while also helping to reduce the government's financial implications in managing the industry.

"Bernas also helps in managing subsidy payments to farmers, and this is one of the ways to help them develop the local rice industry.

"Through Budget 2023, the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) also announced that Bernas has agreed to contribute 30% of the profit from rice imports to farmers," he said.

Chan said this in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-Tumpat) on the government's plan to reduce dependency on imported rice supply. – Bernama