Chicken export ban to be reviewed once domestic supply stabilises - Ronald

PUTRAJAYA: The move to halt chicken exports from June 1 will be reviewed once the country's supply returns to stability, said Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee.

He said a total of 3.6 million birds were exported to several countries every month including Singapore, Vietnam and Pakistan and the government's intervention as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday, was to ensure domestic supply is adequate.

Ronald explained that the country is currently facing a shortage of chicken due to several factors as informed by the industry, including disease and weight that did not meet standards to be marketed.

"The poultry and egg industry is an industry that should meet the needs of the country because we have achieved 100 per cent in self-sufficiency level (SSL) for poultry and eggs (previously)," he told the media at the MAFI Aidilfitri open house here today.

He said the government had intervened earlier to address the increase in chicken prices by providing subsidies of 60 sen per kg to farmers in February and March and then added another 80 sen in April and May, making the total subsidy at RM1.40 per kg.

"It is hoped this will cushion the price of chicken in the market at RM8.90 per kilo (ceiling price). The intervention measures involve more than RM700 million for six months," he said.

Asked whether MAFI would set up a special committee to monitor chicken supply, he said the proposal would be studied if necessary as DVS (Department of Veterinary Services) was currently tasked with monitoring the chicken production situation.

According to him, the demand for chicken in the country is between 1.8 million to two million birds per day.

Apart from that, Ronald said DVS had been instructed to expand supply sources from other countries and was now evaluating several applications from slaughterhouses abroad to increase chicken production.

He said foreign poultry slaughterhouses were accredited by DVS, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department and the Ministry of Health, adding that there were currently several accredited slaughterhouses abroad including China, Thailand and Brazil.

-- BERNAMA