JOHOR BAHRU:Following the expose on the meat cartel scandal involving the importation of meat with dubious halal status in early December, local livestock farmers and sellers of local meat have been doing brisk business.<br /> <br /> One of the companies experiencing brisk sales as a result of the expose, is Osman Goat Farm in Kangkar, Tebrau here, which has been in the market for the past 31 years.<br /> <br /> According to its managing director, Osman Cheya Kutty, after news report on the meat scandal emerged last month, the company’s sale of fresh mutton and lamb increased significantly adding that from three goats a day, he now requires nine, to meet the surge in demand for fresh goat meat.<br /> <br /> He believes the increase in demand was due to people’s awareness and concern in ensuring that the meat they eat is lawful or halal, as many had demanded to see the halal certification for the products before making their purchase.<br /> <br /> “Even though fresh local mutton is more expensive and is sold at about RM60 per kilogramme (kg) compared to imported frozen meat at RM25 per kg, people are willing to pay for it,” he told reporters when met at his business premises here yesterday.<br /> <br /> Osman added that there is no problem in meeting the increasing demand for fresh mutton in Johor as the company currently owns about 3,000 goats.<br /> <br /> "At our farms in Seelong, Kulai and here (Kangkar Tebrau), we have two local goat breeds namely Jamna Pari and Boer Goat as well as four Australian sheep breeds namely Damara, Merino, Vanroy and Awassi.<br /> <br /> The media previously reported on the activities of a cartel involved in smuggling frozen meat from several countries before repackaging the meat using the halal logo in a warehouse in Senai, Johor.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile Osman said the company suffered RM60,000 in losses when several products, furniture and electrical appliances were destroyed in the floods which hit Johor Bahru recently.<br /> <br /> He said the business premises was inundated with 1.2 metres of water while his workers were preparing to supply food to 600 flood victims in the Kangkar Tebrau area, on Jan 2 at about 11 am.<br /> <br /> -- BERNAMA<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />