Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong said the ministry was working with countries in the European Union to locate pig farmers and slaughterhouses that export pork to Malaysia. “With this measure, we can do a systematic audit and inspect the suppliers to make sure that the pork supplied to Malaysia is of good quality,” he said here yesterday. “We also hope the import of pork can be done directly through the supplier. This is to ensure that if there are any problems, we can locate the source of the pork.” Chua said the ministry’s efforts to scrutinise the supply source of pork importers started in April this year. “In May, we asked importers to reveal the details of their imports, including the source country, pig farms and slaughterhouses. “However, we have not received enough details from most of them even after our deadline on July 1,” he said. Instead, the ministry noticed a big jump in imports. Last year, Malaysia had imported about 17,000 tonnes of pork. “But by June this year, Malaysia had imported over 14,000 tonnes, said Chua. “This has caused a drop in the price of pork,” he said. “That is why we want to have a system that ensures that pork prices do not fluctuate too much, and consumers can have quality pork at an affordable price.” Chua said he does not foresee an increase in the price of pork as the supply in the country will be sufficient when Chinese New Year comes around. “If everything goes well, we expect pork prices to be a little lower next year,” he said. On another matter, Chua said the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry was currently working with the Health Ministry in negotiations with the Chinese authorities to decide on a mutually acceptable level of nitrite in bird’s nests. From The Star

PUTRAJAYA: European pork suppliers will be “pre-listed” starting next year to ensure the quality of pork imported to Malaysia. Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong said the ministry was working with countries in the European Union to locate pig farmers and slaughterhouses that export pork to Malaysia. “With this measure, we can do a systematic audit and inspect the suppliers to make sure that the pork supplied to Malaysia is of good quality,” he said here yesterday. “We also hope the import of pork can be done directly through the supplier. This is to ensure that if there are any problems, we can locate the source of the pork.” Chua said the ministry’s efforts to scrutinise the supply source of pork importers started in April this year. “In May, we asked importers to reveal the details of their imports, including the source country, pig farms and slaughterhouses. “However, we have not received enough details from most of them even after our deadline on July 1,” he said. Instead, the ministry noticed a big jump in imports. Last year, Malaysia had imported about 17,000 tonnes of pork. “But by June this year, Malaysia had imported over 14,000 tonnes, said Chua. “This has caused a drop in the price of pork,” he said. “That is why we want to have a system that ensures that pork prices do not fluctuate too much, and consumers can have quality pork at an affordable price.” Chua said he does not foresee an increase in the price of pork as the supply in the country will be sufficient when Chinese New Year comes around. “If everything goes well, we expect pork prices to be a little lower next year,” he said. On another matter, Chua said the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry was currently working with the Health Ministry in negotiations with the Chinese authorities to decide on a mutually acceptable level of nitrite in bird’s nests. From thestar.com.my