SERDANG: The Veterinary Services Department (DVS) is currently reviewing the import of dairy products following reports that avian influenza was detected among dairy cattle herds in the United States, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said DVS will be reviewing reported incidents involving dairy products from the US, the Netherlands and Australia, for example.
“If they do not have any issue, then there is no problem for the products to be brought into Malaysia.
“DVS, on behalf of the ministry, has always been very meticulous... This is important as the issues of safety, security and (food) health need to be taken into account,” he said.
That is why if there is any area with reports of flu or any other virus, the DVS would take swift action and advise the ministry on whether livestock or such products can be imported from there, he told a press conference after launching the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro Tourism Exhibition (Maha) 2024 here yesterday.
On May 19, Singapore cleared dairy products from the US as being safe to consume, even though the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu strain was reported to have spread among dairy cows in that country since the end of March.
That month, the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the detection of the highly pathogenic bird flu in dairy cattle herds in the US states of New Mexico, Texas, Kansas and Michigan.
The virus was detected in samples of unpasteurised milk from older and sick lactating cows.
In another development, Mohamad said the proposal to increase the ceiling price of local white rice (BPT) will be finalised before October.
Food-secure future: Mohamad (right) greeting attendees at the Maha 2024 launch in Serdang, Selangor. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
He said the discussion on the proposal to increase the ceiling price was still ongoing between his ministry and other ministries.
“... Changes in price and related matters, involves four to five other ministries, such as the Economy, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, and other ministries.
“There are still discussions needed before we head towards the final stages.
“Not long from now, maybe before October,” he added.
On June 7, Mohamad said all the relevant parties were still discussing the proposal to increase the ceiling price of BPT before a decision is made in a few months.
In November last year, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry’s Padi and Rice Regulatory Division said the ceiling price of BPT should be increased to RM3.20 per kg compared with the current RM2.60 per kg.
Such a move to increase the price of BPT would protect the future of all parties in the food production chain, especially padi farmers in the country, it said.
On the exhibition, Mohamad said his ministry was also targeting more export agreements with other countries.
“Next week, we will be signing an agreement with China for the export of durians.
“This is among our focuses for international cooperation as the world has now become a global village and we need to rely on other countries if we face any issues in the food supply chain, and vice versa.
“Our international cooperation is also currently strong, with more than 180 international companies showing interest in participating in Maha 2024,” he added.
